A 52-YEAR-OLD man who repeatedly assaulted his partner was “heartbroken” to hear she had asked for a restraining order.

Blackburn magistrates heard Richard Braddock had been put under “enormous pressure” after being made redundant from the job he had held for 35 years and this had resulted in domestic violence.

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Braddock, of Sandon Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to assaulting Melissa Henney. He was jailed for 16 weeks, ordered to pay a £150 criminal court charge and an £80 victim surcharge on his release and made subject to a two-year restraining order which prohibits him from contacting Miss Henney.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said all Braddock’s previous convictions were for assaults on Miss Henney.

The latest assault came after they had been out together.

“He said it was her fault he had been sent to prison for assaulting her,” said Miss Allan. “He put his hands round her neck and squeezed really hard before punching and kicking her.”

Deborah Morgan, defending, said until last year Braddock had no convictions. “There were no problems until his job loss,” she said.