A MAN who beat up his partner was today starting a nine-month jail term.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Paul Gill, 32, and victim Susan Ellis had a tempestuous relationship. After a phone call with his mother he launched into an attack on Miss Ellis, punching her in the eye, slapping and repeatedly striking her in the head and face.

Gill, of Lyndhurst Road, Burnley, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, last October.

The court was told the defendant was drunk and possibly under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack in which the victim suffered a two-inch laceration to her left eyebrow, a broken finger, bruises and haemorrhage to her left eye.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Byrne said the defendant had pleaded guilty, his contrition was genuine and the offence was committed in the context of a tempestuous relationship.

He added pre-sentence reports stated Gill, who had a number of previous convictions, including some for violence, posed a high risk and only custody was justified.