Nelson man assaulted his partner as they had a drunken row on their way home from the pub

Blackburn magistrates heard Darren Gilchrist made a racist remark which, although not aimed at his partner's ethnicity, aggravated the offence.

Gilchrist, of Thorne Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated assault of Emma Louise Cowling. He was fined £300 with £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge.

Enza Geldard, prosecuting, said police were contacted at 12.15 am and told of a man and a woman having a row in Burnley Road. They attended and found Miss Cowling inside a house were she had been given shelter.

"She said they had been involved in a drunken altercation on their way home from the pub," said Mrs Geldard. "He punched her twice in the face and when she tried to run away grabbed her by the hair and dragged her to the floor."

She said during the assault he had made a remark accusing her of sexual activity with an ethnic group.

"She has attended court and made it clear she does not want a restraining order because there is to be a reconciliation," said Mrs Geldard.

Mark Williams, defending, said the racially aggravated element of the offence was slightly unusual in that it was not caused by her race or religious background.

"She is English and the remark was not aimed at her because of who she is," said Mr Williams. "He accepts it was a derogatory remark."