A YOUNG dad grabbed his former partner by the throat and squeezed until she couldn't breathe after she asked him if he was seeing someone else.

Burnley Magistrates heard how David Flood, 26, then snatched victim Victoria Moore's purse and kicked the front door, causing £350 worth of damage.

Flood, of Prospect Hill, Haslingden, admitted common assault and damage.

Flood, who has 10 previous convictions, was bailed until May 9 for an all-options pre-sentence report.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, told the court that Miss Moore, a full-time mother, lived with her three-year-old son by the defendant, Samuel.

She and Flood had had a seven-year on/off relation-ship and she claimed she had been assaulted before.

Samuel had been at his father's house and when Miss Moore went to pick him up, he wanted his father to go back to the victim's house.

She agreed but Flood and Miss Moore later had a disagreement and he then told her to shut up, grabbed her throat and squeezed so hard she could not breathe. Flood let go, overpowered Miss Moore, got her purse and took £7.

Flood left by the front door, slamming it shut and the victim locked it.

Flood then kicked out at the door, causing damage. Miss Moore was left with two finger bruises and soreness where Flood had grabbed her neck.

David Leach, defending, said Flood lost his temper when his former partner asked him if he had started seeing anybody else. Flood now accepted the relationship was over but he would continue to support the child.