Joyce McCamon was "cracked in the nose" by Terence Patrick Brown after she went to stay with a friend because he had been drinking and knew he could get violent.

He hit her about the head and started strangling her during the hour-long beating, Pennine magistrates heard.

Brown (33), of Highfield Crescent, Nelson, admitted assault by beating but the Bench adjourned the case until August 13th for a trial over the facts.

Mr Andrew Robinson (prosecuting) said Miss McCamon was in a bottom bunk bed with her son when Brown arrived in the early hours. He climbed onto the top bunk and started shouting at her.

The defendant cracked the victim in the nose, making it bleed, and when she tried to get out of the room, he pulled her back by her hair.

Mr Robinson said Miss McCamon tried to crawl out of the room, but Brown then allegedly stamped on her back, hit her around the head and started to strangle her.

The victim went to get help but returned upstairs as she could hear her son crying and believing if she had the boy with her the defendant would not hit her, but he did.

She was left with a black eye, bruises and a friction burn.

Mr Mark Williams (defending) said the pair argued after Miss McCamon accused Brown of being out late. She raised her arms to him, he blocked her and then hit her across the face.

The solicitor went on: "He does not accept that at any time he assaulted her when the child was present. He wholly denies allegations of stamping."