A MAN with no previous convictions assaulted his wife and a police officer on a night when he behaved "totally out of character".

Blackburn magistrates heard Graham Jordison punched his wife and then dragged her onto the floor.

She called a taxi to take her to her dad's and while she was waiting he punched her again causing a cut to the side of her nose which gushed blood.

Jordison, 56, of Teal Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife causing her actual bodily harm, assaulting her, assaulting an emergency worker and racially aggravated threatening behaviour towards the police officer. All the offences took place in January.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months and mad subject to a community order for 18 months with nine months alcohol treatment requirement and 30 days' rehabilitation.

He was ordered to pay £250 compensation to his wife, £225 to the police officer, £85 costs and £115 victim surcharge.

Glen Anderton, prosecuting, said on the day of the incident the victim returned to their Clitheroe home from work at about 8.30pm. She had bought a few items from the Co-op and expected him to be angry because he had issues about spending money.

She said she was tired and went going to bed and was sat on the toilet when he came in and punched her to the side of her head and dragged her to the floor.

"He then went downstairs to watch TV and she decided she needed to get out," said Mr Anderton.

"She called a taxi and was waiting in the kitchen when he came in and asked what she was doing.

"She said she was going to her dad's. The next thing she knew she had been hit again, her nose was burst and blood was spraying everywhere."

Mr Anderton said when police arrived Jordison was handcuffed and was initially compliant.

When he saw his wife's sister and people from social services he became abusive and tried to headbutt an officer.

In the vehicle on the way to the police station he started making racist comments and as he was being taken into the police station he managed to headbutt an officer.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client's behaviour on the evening was totally out of character.

"There was a build-up of tension over a period of time which culminated in this display of aggressive behaviour," said Mr Price.

"In the eight months since he has addressed his drink and anger management problems and has done his best to respond to this outburst of negative behaviour."