A MAN being sought by police for an assault on his partner and breaching a restraining order in her favour was found hiding under a duvet – with the victim in bed with him.

Blackburn magistrates heard Lee Robert Hepple was also in breach of a suspended prison sentence imposed for a previous breach of the restraining order.

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Hepple, 26, of Osford Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to assaulting Gemma Mason, breach of a restraining order and breach of a suspended prison sentence. He was jailed for 24 weeks and ordered to pay £180 criminal court charge and £80 costs on his release.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the breach of the restraining order had been committed when Hepple wrote to Miss Mason while he was serving a prison sentence.

On the day of the assault he was at her house when a row started. He pushed her against a kitchen cupboard and then grabbed her by the throat. He then spat blood in her face before running to the top of the street where he started shouting offensive remarks.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said that Miss Mason had not co-operated with the police following Hepple’s arrest.