A 34-YEAR-OLD man attacked his partner while she was holding their eight-month-old daughter.

Blackburn magistrates heard Steven Ray slapped Vicky Robinson and then put his fingers in her eyes and pressed hard,

When she dropped to her knees to get away from the pain Ray kneed Miss Robinson in the ribs.

Ray, of Slaidburn Drive, Accrington, pleaded guilty to assault. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report with a condition of bail that he lives at an address in Oswaldtwistle.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said |Ray had been cautioned in 2012 for an assault on the same victim. She said on Saturday night the couple had been arguing and Miss Robinson called the police to get him out of the house.

When the police arrived he had already left but came back later and continued the argument.

"She was holding their baby when he slapped her across the face," said Miss Allan. "He then put his fingers in her eys and pressed them. The pain made her yelp and she went to the floor to get away from him. She was still holding the baby when he kneed her in the ribs.

Helen Oats, defending, said Ray was 'absolutely devastated' by what had happened.

"He doesn't remember everything, much of it is a blurr because he had been drinking."