Man who attacked girlfriend is facing jail

Niall Lynn (24) had flown into a rage and pulled Joanne Howe, his partner of just seven or eight weeks, to the floor by her hair when she asked about rumours regarding him circulating in the area.

The defendant punched her and kicked her so many times, with his shoes on, that she lost count, the town’s magistrates heard

The hearing was told the victim was left in pain, sobbing, with a swollen face and bleeding from the nose and lips. The violence had come the day after Lynn had smashed a mirror and hurled a suitcase of his clothes through the kitchen window.

Lynn, now of no fixed address, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm on October 16th and two counts of damage on October 15th and was committed in custody to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced in November.

Mrs Tracy Yates (prosecuting) said Lynn had more than 40 offences on his record.

Mr Gareth Price (defending) said he conceded custody must follow. Mr Price said there were unfounded rumours circulating about something in the defendant’s past, something which was particularly serious.

He addeed: “The complainant confronted him. She called him a particular name that goes along with these sorts of rumours. He has been diagnosed in the past as suffering from schizophrenia.”

Mr Price said Lynn was assisted in the community by mental health services.