A 34-year-old man admitted assaulting his partner despite her coming to court and saying she did not wish to proceed with her complaint.

Blackburn magistrates heard that David William Rolfe could have maintained a not guilty plea in the light of his partner's retraction.

But defence solicitor Basharat Ditta said his client's main concern was to ensure his partner was not made subject to a witness summons and forced to give evidence against him.

Rolfe, 34, of Oban Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ann Harrison. Magistrates adjourned the case until April 14 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports and Rolfe wasn bailed.

John Gray, prosecuting, said a row developed between the couple at 11pm. Rolfe dragged his partner of her chair and pulled her to the floor, causing her to bang the back of her head. He then grabbed her round the throat with both hands and she felt as if she was choking.

When Miss Harrison went to phone her brother, Rolfe snatched her mobile phone, smashed it on the floor and then ripped the landline wire out of the socket.

Mr Ditta said the first time the matter came to court Miss Harrison had attended and told the prosecutor she didn't want to proceed. "The prosecution have a zero tolerance of domestic violence at the moment and were determined to continue the prosecution," said Mr Ditta. "He has pleaded guilty to prevent his partner being forced to attend court."

Mr Ditta said there had been some provocation prior to the incident which had been alcohol fuelled.

He said that as a condition of bail Rolfe had been living at his mother's address but the couple were in regular contact.

"They are effectively starting their relationship again," added Mr Ditta.