A SPURNED man climbed though his ex-partner's bedroom window and attacked her with a claw hammer in the early hours, a court was told.

Drunken Christopher Hargreaves, 21, had told terrified victim Carly Miller to be quiet or he would hit her, after he appeared in her room at 5.30am.

He then sat on the bed and watched television before striking her on the head with the weapon, Burnley magi-strates heard.

The court was told Hargreaves threatened to hit her again and then said he would hurt her, before making off.

The defendant, of Staghills Road, Newchurch, admitted possessing an offensive weapon, affray and harrassment.

He was bailed until September 24, for a pre-sentence report. The bench, who said he had caused distress and fear to his victim, added there had been potential for much greater harm.

They told Hargreaves they were thinking of a medium-based community penalty to address anger manag-ement, and if necessary, alcohol abuse.

Sophie Lorimer, prosecuting, told the court on August 17, Miss Miller was asleep at the Waterfoot home she shared with her mother.

Hargreaves climbed on to the conservatory roof and in through Miss Miller's bedroom win-dow.

He struck her over the head with the hammer. She was not injured.

Graeme Parkinson, defending, said the relationship had been a long one. She had decided she wanted to end it, and the defendant was shocked.