A 26-YEAR-OLD man ‘flipped’ when his wife slapped him back during a one sided row, a court heard.

Blackburn magistrates were told Adam John Holt repeatedly punched her around the head and face, busting her nose and causing a black eye.

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The attack was witnessed by her eight-year-old son who shouted at Holt to ‘get off’ his mum, the prosecutor said.

Holt, of Shear Brow, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Nicola Jane Holt and possessing a knife in Monmouth Road where the assault took place.

He was sent on bail to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced after the magistrates ruled their powers of punishment were insufficient.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said there had been a children’s party at the family home and after it finished the adults started drinking.

“After the final guests had left Mrs Holt went to the bedroom but the defendant followed and tried to cause an argument,” said Miss Allan.

“She didn’t want to argue and walked away.”

Holt got more and more frustrated and then slapped her across the face.

“She went downstairs to try and diffuse the situation but he followed,” said Miss Allan.

“When she tried to leave the house he dragged her back. There was a scuffle during which she slapped him and at that point she says he flipped. He used his fists to punch her repeatedly.”

Mrs Holt heard her son shouting at him to get off his mum and she told the boy to get help.

“Before he could do that Holt got hold of him and carried him back in to the house,” said Miss Allan.

“The boy eventually managed to get out and ran to her mother’s house to raise the alarm. At that point he went into the kitchen and came out with two knives.”

Miss Allan said Mrs Holt saw her mum approaching and was concerned he might hurt her. He ran back into the house and she followed because their three daughters were asleep upstairs.

“She went back into the house to try and calm him down,” said Miss Allan.

“When the police arrived he walked towards them, bare chested with the knives still in his hands before running off.”

He was chased and eventually fell to the floor, threw the knives away, held his arms out and said he was sorry.

Colleen Dickinson-Jones, defending, said Holt was not a drinker and had consumed 11 cans and a large glass of wine.

“He is extremely remorseful and ashamed of the way he behaved,” said Mrs Dickinson-Jones.

“He doesn’t usually drink and takes full responsibility for his behaviour after drinking too much on this occasion.”