Thug violently attacked his ex on Christmas Day

ATHUG violently assaulted his expartner and threatened her with a knife in the early hours of Christmas Day.

James Smith, of Roe Greave Road, Oswaldtwistle, punched and kicked the victim during the 20-minute ordeal before she ran from her house ‘ crying hysterically’ and sought refuge in a passing taxi, a court heard.

BT worker Smith was in breach of an indefinite restraining order for a THIRD time and previously assaulted the victim two months earlier causing her to end up in hospital with a swollen jaw.

Smith pleaded guilty to common assault, obstructing a police officer and breaching a restraining order. He was given a 14-month jail sentence, suspended for two years with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement, a six-month curfew and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation.

Prosecutor Charles Brown said Smith, 29, was given a restraining order in January last year for battery against the same victim. He was then jailed for eight months in May for breaching the order.

The court heard how following his release from prison he was contacted by the victim and they met up in October.

Mr Brown said police were called by a member of the public at around 1am after the victim said she had been assaulted.

She was taken to hospital and Smith arrived shortly after but in a ‘pathetic attempt’ told officers that he was Smith’s brother.

The court heard that Smith was bailed but then met up with the victim again for drinks on Christmas Eve. An argument broke out at her house the next morning and he assaulted her before threatening her with a knife.

Defence barrister David Farley it was an ‘appalling incident’ but the complainant was ‘to some extent responsible for instigating contact’.

He told the court that Smith is ‘ deeply apologetic’ and has self- referred to a counselling service.

Mr Farley said it was a ‘destructive relationship for both of them’ and led Smith to ‘binge drink’.

He said: “Mr Smith has no interest in rekindling the relationship.”

Recorder David Swinnerton said Smith had ‘blatantly ignored’ the restraining order and inflicted ‘ significant violence and significant physical harm’. He said: “I’m going to give you an opportunity, Many would say you don’t deserve that. I’m taking a risk with you.”