A MAN being attacked by his girlfriend's ex-partner begged him to stop because the defendant's own six-year-old son was watching.

Aaron Jack Holmes bit the finger of victim Neil Walsh after kicking in the door of his former partner’s house in Hartley Drive, Oswaldtwistle.

Burnley Crown Court heard Holmes, 30, had repeatedly banged on the front door after he had gone round to speak to his ex-partner in June last year.

Mr Walsh, who was inside the house with Holmes’ son, told him to keep quiet as he did not want a confrontation.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said once the defendant had kicked in the door, Mr Walsh was hit in the head with an ornament and could feel blood running down his cheeks.

Mr Parker said: “He told the defendant to stop because his six-year-old son was present and saw what was going on.

“He bit Mr Walsh’s right middle finger. Part of the finger was ripped away.

“Police turned up. They found Mr Walsh covered in blood.”

The court heard, when Holmes was arrested by police, he said: “I have kicked the **** out of him.”

Mr Parker said a doctor confirmed Mr Walsh suffered several injuries including cuts above each eyebrow, bruising on his right cheek and damage to his middle finger.

During his police interview, the defendant said he had spoken to his ex-partner and had arranged to go round to her house to drop something off while she was present.

Mr Parker said when the defendant arrived he heard his son was inside the house and was confused as to why he was not in school.

James Heyworth, defending, said his client kicked the door in because he believed his son was on his own.

He said: “He has no previous convictions.

“He regrets what he has done.”

Holmes, of Hodder Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and criminal damage and was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Judge Andrew Woolman said: “Clearly you had got yourself into a temper.

“You made a real mess of Mr Walsh.

“There was a fight between you and Mr Walsh.

“Clearly you got the better of him.

“You have s responsibility towards your son. I hear you look after him most weekends.

“It makes it quite astonishing you would have this fight with Mr Walsh when he is there watching.

“He will have no trouble remembering that event for a long time.”