Blackburn man arguing with his partner ended up in a battle with her sisters as well

Blackburn magistrates heard the siblings intervened when Anthony David Fletcher assaulted Jodie Whittaker.

And the court was told he kicked one of them after chasing them away from his car which had been damaged.

Fletcher, of Haslingden Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Miss Whittaker and Lucy Armstrong. He was fined £360 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £36 victim surcharge.

Enza Geldard, prosecuting, said Miss Whittaker, her two sisters and Fletcher had been drinking in town and on the way home a row started. At some stage he grabbed Miss Whittaker by the throat. The argument continued in the house and the sisters intervened on Miss Whittaker's behalf. They went outside and he chased after them when he saw them near his car. After one of the sisters was kicked another flagged down a passing motorcyclist and used his phone to call the police.

Gareth Price, defending, said Miss Whittaker had not made a statement of complaint and did not want a restraining order.

"Both parties were equally vociferous with each other," said Mr Price. "When the sisters left the house they hit his car and caused £300 of damage. He chased them and accepts that he has aimed a kick at one of them."