A WOMAN who was 22 weeks pregnant was kicked about the back and side by her partner who later told police he had drunk a bottle of vodka, three bottles of cider, and taken two bags of heroin.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Mark Fisher wouldn't let his girlfriend call for medical attention, despite the fact she was having difficulty breathing.

Fisher, 19, of Unity Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting Louise Henwood, and theft of a bottle of rum from Asda. He was bailed pending the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

Neil White, prosecuting, said Fisher was with his partner at her mother's house and they had gone to bed together.

"She was suffering discomfort because of her pregnancy and she pushed him," said Mr White. "His response was to fly into a rage and punch her on the nose."

Fisher initially stopped Miss Henwood leaving the room, but eventually she was able to go to the bathroom to clean her nose and then went to a different room, but Fisher followed and put on the television. She told him to go and watch television downstairs and he became angry again.

"He punched her on the back of the head before pushing her onto the bed, where he repeatedly kicked her in the back and the side of her stomach," said Mr White.

"Clearly this assault is aggravated by the vulnerable state of the victim who was in an advanced state of pregnancy."

Kevin Preston, defending, said his client clearly needed help.

"His partner and his mother are both here in court and both are extremely supportive," said Mr Preston.

"But there is only so much they can do.

"They need him to get help and he needs to help himself."

Mr Preston said Miss Henwood was now living with her mother.