A MUM-of-two has spoken out after her ex-partner was sentenced for assaulting her.

During a trial magistrates were told Charlene Guerin suffered a broken nose after having what she said was a metal photo frame thrown at her during an incident in October 2016.

Her former partner Nicky John McPhee denied assault but magistrates did not accept his version of events.

McPhee, 25, of Meadowhead Close, Blackburn, was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for two years.

He must also complete a two-year supervision order, with a requirement that he attends a Building Better Relationships programme for 30 days.

He has been ordered to pay £250 compensation, £450 prosecution costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

A two-year restraining order was also imposed banning McPhee from contacting Ms Guerin or setting foot in a street in Guide.

Giving their reasons for the sentence magistrates said it was because the offence was so serious and that a weapon was used to cause injury in a domestic context.

After the hearing Ms Guerin, known as Nessa to her friends, spoke of her frustration of having to give evidence in court – but said she can now put the ordeal behind her.

The 35-year-old mother-of-two also encouraged other women to break free from ‘unhealthy relationships’.

She said: “Going to court and giving evidence was horrible. He knew what he had done but hurt me more by making out I was lying. I am just glad it’s over now, he has been sentenced and I can move on with my life.”

Ms Guerin said she is receiving support from the Changing Lives charity and encouraged other victims of domestic abuse to seek help.

She added: “I am a good person. I deserve to be treated well by males, females, family members, friends and people I don’t know. I will no longer put up with people who don’t treat me with respect.

“I beat myself up now. I ask myself why did I stay in an unhealthy relationship for so long? No-one deserves to go to sleep at night not feeling loved or respected in any way. That is what I was doing. It was horrible.”