A HASLINGDEN man who attacked his ex-partner's friend was said to have hit her three times and headbutted her.

Burnley magistrates heard Jason Pilling, 26, had been in the pub getting Dutch courage' to go round and see his former girlfriend.

When he got there, he exploded, lost his temper and ended up arrested after leaving the victim injured.

Pilling, of John Street, Haslingden, admitted assault by beating, and his case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Carl Gaffney, prose-cuting, told the court the defendant grabbed victim Tracey Pounder's clothes, dragged her out of the house and punched her in a 10-minute on and off attack.

Sue Robinson, defend-ing, said Pilling had no previous convictions for violence and the offence was totally out of character.

The defendant accepted there had never been a good relationship bet-ween himself and Miss Pounder.

The solicitor alleged: "She has in the past tried to break up the defendant and his partner's relationship and has caused trouble."

Miss Robinson said Pilling had been in the pub drinking lager for Dutch courage' and he exploded and lost his temper.

If he had known the victim was there he would not have gone round to see his former girlfriend.