A ROOFER who grabbed his former lover by the throat is a "changed man" after stopping his boozy ways, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told Brian Heyworth, 37, who grabbed victim Catherine Nuttall by the throat, had been convicted of assault by beating in August last year.

But Heyworth, back in court for flouting a community punishment order imposed for the offence, was "a changed man" after had finding love with a new partner, his solicitor Richard Taylor said.

His new partner, he said, dod not allow him to have more than a couple of pints after work.

The defendant, of Cedar Avenue, Haslingden, was given nine months super-vision with £250 costs and £100 compensation for two counts of failing to comply with a community punishment order.

Andrew Creswell, prosecuting, said the defendant and victim had been in a five week relationship and he had wanted to rekindle it. She had finished the relationship as Heyworth had been aggressive towards her and had already assaulted her.

Heyworth turned up at Miss Nuttall's home and pushed her shoulders, and then grabbed her by the throat, leaving red marks when she told him she did not want to know.

Mr Taylor said Heyworth had started drinking very heavily after the relationship broke down but had cut down on the booze since finding a new partner.