A LORRY driver who bit his wife and carried out a ‘sustained’ and ‘abhorrent’ attack has been jailed for 13 months.

Preston Crown Court heard Adam Barnes beat and slapped his victim bruising her knees and elbows and causing red marks on her back.

The court heard Barnes, 49, attacked his wife on March 31, at their house in Albion Street, Clitheroe, when he slapped her face after claiming she had ‘almost burnt the house down’ when a candle she had lit had caught fire to some paper.

John Kennerley, prosecuting, said Barnes had been drinking homemade vodka.

The court heard the following morning Barnes came down stairs and continued to be abusive.

Mr Kennerley said Barnes grabbed a knife from the kitchen and cut his head with it.

He said: “She went into the kitchen to deal with the wound and she said he grabbed her and pushed her head down towards the floor.

“She went to the bathroom to use the toilet. While she was still urinating he grabbed her off the toilet and put his hand over he face and said ‘you will be lucky if you see tomorrow’.

“She said she could not breathe and passed out.”

The court heard when she recovered she was ordered to iron Barnes’ work clothes and then criticised her work.

Mr Kennerley said: “He dragged her to the floor before kicking her in the leg several times.

“He then bit her left breast.”

The police called the victim’s phone after concern from a friend. After this the defendant told his wife to leave while she was still wearing her pyjamas, the court heard.

The police attended the house on April 3 and arrested Barnes.

Barnes, a father of four, had four previous convictions including threats to kill and damage.

The court heard how Barnes had also stood on his wife's phone and damaged it.

Richard Prew, defending, said the relationship was toxic and alcohol played its part.

He said: “The defendant fully accepts the behaviour was abhorrent and appalling. Thankfully the injuries were not as serious as they could have been.”

Mr Prew said Barnes sufferers from depression and had been referred to see a mental health team.

Barnes, of Albion Street, Clitheroe, was found guilty at trial of common assault, assault causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

Recorder Anne Brown said: “It was a sustained assault. You told her to iron your work clothes, you criticised her. You pulled her hair, she thought she was going to die.”