A WOMAN needed 13 stitches after her partner lashed out as he was driving knocking her mobile phone into her mouth.

Blackburn magistrates heard the injury would result in permanent scarring to the victim’s face.

Sam Pilkington, 25, of Cumbrian Way, Burnley, pleaded guilty to assaulting Neringa Kievisaite causing her actual bodily harm. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Catherine Allan, prosec-uting, said the couple were having a row in the car and at some point Pilkington tried to grab her phone.

“The phone smashed into her lip causing a significant cut,” said Miss Allan. “She had to go to hospital because her lip would not stop bleeding and he remained with her at the hospital.”

Gareth Price, defending, said the couple had been pushing and shoving each other.

“He hit the mobile phone which then hit her in the face but there was no intention of causing the injury,” said Mr Price.