A FORMER lorry driver left his then partner with five facial injuries, including a deep gouge, after attacking her in the middle of Colne.

Samuel Craig, 44, had punched Michelle Gas, hit and kicked her after dragging her to the floor, ripped her tights and called her a slag. Miss Gas, who had been the defendant's girlfriend for two years at the time, was said to have flung her shoes at him and he hit her back with one of them.

Craig, of Skipton Road, Colne, admitted assault by beating. He was bailed until November 17 for a pre-sentence report and the bench told him they were not ruling out custody.

David Macro, prosecuting, told the court Miss Gas had decided to end the relationship and she and Craig went for a drink. The defendant was argumentative and Miss Gas suggested they should meet up the following day.

Craig wouldn't agree and as they walked along Market Street, Miss Gas again asked him to go home.

James Young, defending, said Craig had bought Miss Gas the shoes and tights and she was saying she did not want them and was throwing them back. He did assault her with a shoe.

The solicitor added the defendant, who wanted to work, but couldn't, had no previous convictions for violence. He went on: "They are not getting back together but they are still friends."