A man assaulted his former partner, causing her to suffer “extensive” bruising and a cut lip.

Liam Gill, 39, was at the home of his former partner on May 31 with one of her friends also there when the incident happened.

Preston Crown Court heard how the ex-partner believed Gill would not behave in any adverse way due to the friend being there.

When relaying this, though, Recorder Philip Grundy next said: “Sadly, you just couldn’t help yourself.”

Following the assault, Gill was not seen before he surrendered himself on June 20.

It was by then apparent he had been in breach of an order imposed for behaviour against another former partner.

Gill was sentenced to eight weeks in prison for the previous offence.

His defence counsel, Cecilia Pritchard, said he had been making “significant progress” whilst on remand.

She said: “He had made very meaningful strides towards addressing his issues whilst in custody.

"It is not mere lip service. He has become a mentor to others, he has been teaching music, and all the reports are quite glowing from the people he has been in contact with.”

Sentencing, Recorder Grundy said: “There is extensive bruising to her left cheek and a cut to her lip.

"It is quite clear from what I’ve heard and read there was no compassion from you to her to recognise your behaviour had clearly hurt her.

“Her friend saw the injuries. She told the police she was frightened of you. She couldn’t even go downstairs and tell her friend until it was readily apparent.

“There are positives in your case. I am impressed with what you are doing in prison.

“There is a glimmer, and no more than a glimmer, of hope.”

Gill was appearing at court charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and breach of a non-molestation order.

Recorder Grundy sentenced Gill, of St Anne’s Street, Padiham, to a total of 20 months in prison and imposed a restraining order on him against his ex-partner for five years.