A LORRY driver attacked his partner and a police officer after losing his temper because of pressures at home, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates heard how Stephen McDonald, 37, kicked then girlfriend Elizabeth Sharples and spat at both her and the officer.

McDonald, who had never been in trouble before, hung his head throughout the proceedings and bench chairman Lynne Kemp said it was clear he was ashamed.

McDonald admitted to the justices he needed help with anger management and Mrs Kemp said his drinking was a problem as well.

The defendant, now of Brier Close, Nelson, admitted assault by beating, resisting police and police assault.

He was bailed to October 12, for a pre-sentence report and the magistrates said they were thinking of a high-level community order with rehabilitation.

Elizabeth Read, prosecuting, told the court McDonald had been with mother-of-two Mrs Sharples for four years and their relationship seemed to have gone downhill.

On September 16, he was abusive, shouted obscenities and sat in the back room with a bottle of whisky. He drank half the bottle in 15 minutes and became more and more aggressive and drunk.

Mrs Read said McDonald spat at everything in the room, then kicked the victim and spat at her about six times.

She said he then pushed her out of the front door and she ran to neighbour's house hysterical.

An officer found the defendant asleep in bed, woke him up and he started swearing.

The defendant was arrested and he hurled insults at police officers.

He then spat in a officer's face.

Nick Cassidy, defending, said McDonald was disgusted by his behaviour and did not seek to excuse it.