A MAN walking out with his clothes in bin bags after a row head butted his partner on the nose.

Hyndburn magistrates heard that Nigel Hegarty had behaved totally out of character after being deeply affected by the death of his mother, an opinion expressed by the victim in a statement to police.

Hegarty, 25, of Foxfields Close, Oswaldtwistle, pleaded guilty to assaulting Tracy Cougill.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Charlotte Crane, prosecuting, said Hegarty and Miss Cougill had been out together but came home separately, when there was a row.

"He put his clothes in bin bags and was walking out with them in both hands when, without warning, he turned and head butted Miss Cougill."

Gareth Price, defending, said that in her statement Miss Cougill said that since he lost his mum to cancer last year Hegarty had been drinking more and started to smoke cannabis on a daily basis.

"She describes his behaviour as out of character and he is actively seeking help," said Mr Price.