A 46-YEAR-OLD man assaulted his partner on the doorstep while she was holding a child in her arms.

Blackburn magistrates heard Azhar Ali claimed he had slapped his wife once but she said he had punched her three or four times.

Ali, 46, of Smith Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to assaulting Danielle Taylor.

He was made subject to 12 months community order with a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £50 and ordered to pay £50 compensation, £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said that because she was holding the child Miss Taylor was not able to defend herself.

Keith Rennison, defending, said his client claimed he had been hit a number of times on the arm before he lashed out and slapped her once.