A MAN stamped on his partner's face and tried to rip her hair out, Burnley magistrates heard.

Matthew McCaigue, 22, of Knotts Lane, Colne, launched the vicious attack against Jennie Commerford after coming home following a night out drinking.

McCaigue admitted assault causing actual bodily harm at Burnley magistrates.

He was conditionally bailed until June 1, for a pre-sentence report and was told custody was not being ruled out.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, told the court the defendant and victim Jennie Comerford had been in a relationship for 21 months and he had been violent towards her before.

At about 11.15pm she was in bed watching television when McCaigue rang. He was drunk and abusive.

Miss Comerford had decided to end the relationship that day. About 30 minutes later the defendant turned up, ran upstairs, grabbed her by the legs, dragged her off the bed onto the floor and tried to rip her hair out.

He said the defendant kept going back, pinned Miss Comerford against the bedroom floor and stamped on her face.

Mr Maude said Miss Comerford was scared and in pain. She had marks on her face and pain to the back of her head.

The prosecutor said when interviewed by police, McCaigue claimed his then partner had gone towards him, he had pushed her twice and he accepted he used excessive force against her. The defendant had 15 previous convictions.

Lee Hammond, defending, said McCaigue maintained that at no point did he kick the victim nor had he stamped on her.