A man who punched his partner in the face in an Accrington pub, inflicting an injury which needed eight stitches, walked free from court.

Neil Burns' victim Sonia Culshaw did not want him to be prosecuted even though she may be permanently scarred, and the pair were still together. She had written a letter supporting him to the judge, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Jobless Burns, 43, who served a jail term for assault in 1993, was given six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, with the CALM programme. The defendant, of Southport Road, Leyland, admitted assault causing actual bodily haarm.

Sentencing, Recorder Martin Walsh told the defendant ordinarily offences of domestic violence called for immediate imprisonment but the case was exceptional.

The judge said Miss Culshaw had been "quite intoxicated," and accepted that, had behaved in a provocative fashion and in the heat of the moment, and in drink and anger, Burns assaulted her.

David Macro, prosecuting, told the court on March 19, the defendant and the victim were in the Adelphi Hotel when he hit her.

She had to have eight stitches to her eyebrow and suffered a black eye and cut nose, but did not want him to be prosecuted.

Miss Culshaw had been rowdy in the pub,she had been shouting at the defendant and had confronted him, saying :"Hit me, hit me." He then punched her and she fell to the floor, like " a sack of potatoes."

Mr Macro said Miss Culshaw went to hospital and there was a possibility she could be permanently scarred. Police had attended at 2.45am and found the victim bleeding. She had kept drifting in and out of consciousness, but officers did not know whether that was because of her injuries or the drink.

When the defendant was questioned, Burns said they had continued an argument in the pub. He was remorseful. The defendant had been to prison for six months for assault 14 years ago.

Karl Berry, defending, said Burns remained in a relationship with his partner and she was supportive of him. He was sorry, Mr Berry said.