CLITHEROE Grammar School physics teacher Eric John Cawley bit and slapped his partner during what he described as "30 seconds of madness."

Blackburn magistrates heard that Cawley had been drinking before the incident and defence solicitor Stephen Barker said his client accepted that he had alcohol dependency and was prepared to seek help.

Mr Barker said Cawley's employers were aware of the situation and his £25,000-a-year job was safe.

"He spoke to his headteacher on Monday and he understands the situation," said Mr Barker.

"They appreciate his value as a teacher and he will be able to continue his work."

Cawley, 37, of Crangle Fold, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm to Beverley Walker.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 compensation and £75 costs.

Elizabeth Reed, prosecuting, said that on the day of the incident Miss Walker was working in a Clitheroe town centre shop.

Cawley went in at about 4.30pm and had clearly been drinking.

"His speech was slurred and she was unable to make much sense of what he was saying, other than that it was about picking their child up from nursery," said Mrs Reed. Miss Walker arrived home at about 6pm and took their 21-month-old son upstairs.

Cawley followed and began shouting at her, accusing her of doing something to upset the baby.

Cawley followed her and started to belittle her about her job.

He pushed her and when she put out her hand to defend herself, Cawley bit her near the base of her thumb.

He then pushed Miss Walker into the hallway, grabbed her by the throat and hit her with the inside of his hand.

Cawley has a previous conviction for driving with excess alcohol and last year was disqualified from driving for three years after pleading guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Mr Barker said Cawley was on half-term holiday on the day of the offence and had travelled to Blackburn on the train and drunk about five pints at lunch time.

He said: "He describes it as 30 seconds of madness.

"It would seem the physical confrontation was two-sided but he realised that it was appropriate for him to get away from the situation and he left the house."

Mr Barker said because of the pressure of work Cawley often had a drink on his way home.

A spokesman from Lancashire County Council said: "The results of crimimal cases involving the convictions of teachers are reported both to ourselves and the Department for Education and Employment by the police.

"We would then look into the circumstances of each case."

Education Secretary David Blunkett can bar or restrict a person's employment if they are found guilty of misconduct.

A guilty plea to a criminal offence is conclusive proof of guilt.

The school today refused to comment on the case and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers confirmed Cawley was a member of the union but said it was not in a position to comment on the case.