A "DRUNKEN" father of three said to have terrorised his former partner in a midnight bust-up has kept his freedom.

Burnley Magistrates heard how victim Lisa Judge feared for the safety of herself and her sleeping children when roofer Martin Phillips arrived making threats and looking aggressive.

Phillips was said to have dragged her down a back street by her neck and threatened to smash her house up.

Miss Judge called police on the defendant's mobile after he threw it at her and told her to call them. He later claimed the phone had been in his pocket all night..

Phillips, 38, of Rutland Street, Colne, admitted assault by beating last October 31. He was given a 12 months conditional discharge and told to pay £50 compensation and £55 costs.

Mercedah Jabbari, prosecuting, told the court the defendant and victim had been together for about eight years before separating.

She was at home when Phillips stumbled in through the front door and began shouting he wanted to see his daughter. Miss Judge was very frightened, asked him to leave and he threw his phone at her, telling her to call police if she wanted.

Miss Judge ran from her home dialling 999 and the defendant caught up with her, snatched the mobile, grabbed her around the neck and dragged her down a back street.

Miss Jabbari said the victim managed to break free and went back into the house. She tried to close the door on Phillips, who attempted to force it open and hit her with the handle causing bruising.

The prosecutor said Phillips told police he had been out drinking but Miss Judge's statement was totally incorrect. The defendant, who has 25 previous convictions, denied having any contact with her.

Duncan Nightingale, defending, said a trial over the facts of the case was to have been held but Miss Judge did not attend. The defendant therefore had to be sentenced on his version of events.

Phillips had gone round to Miss Judge's, they had started to argue and he decided to leave.

He went through the french windows, she was pulling the handle from the inside and whatever injury was caused happened that way.

Mr Nightingale added the defendant had gone round to his estranged partner's to discuss his daughter.

Phillips was not drunk, no children saw what went on and the defendant had no previous convictions for assault. He went on: "I would suggest this was a very very minor incident."