A MAN held a plastic bag over his wife's face during a prolonged assault.

Blackburn magistrates heard the victim was struggling to breathe and at one point she could see his eyes and Tariq Mahmood Lal looked like he had "lost it."

Lal, 52, of Moss Gate, Blackburn, was convicted after a trial of assault causing actual bodily harm and pleaded guilty to two other charges of assault committed on a separate date. He was committed on bail to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced after the magistrates ruled their powers of punishment were insufficient.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said on the day of the most serious incident the victim was at home with her husband and children and his behaviour was becoming "difficult."

"His language was not appropriate and she sent the children out of the room," said Mr Parker. "He began questioning her about some bin bags she was sending to the charity shop, a face spray and a present she had bought for work and as he questioned her he was punching her."

Lal eventually pushed his wife onto the bed and pinned her down while he wrapped a bin bag around her neck.

"He put part of the bag over her face and started to suffocate her," said Mr Parker. "She was struggling to breathe and desperately trying to get him off her. She was crying and begging him not to hit her and his response was; "I'll show you how to treat a woman.""

He left the room and she managed to flee from the house and call the police.

Aishad Mahmood, defending, said he had seen photographs of the injuries which were not severe.

"Despite the circumstances described by the prosecution, I would suggest these matters can be dealt with at this court," said Mr Mahmood.