A MAN attacked his partner after he had been drinking and snorting cocaine because he thought she was cheating on her.

Blackburn magistrates heard the victim claimed Lee Craig McPhee had hit her repeatedly with her mobile in his hand while he claimed he had thrown the phone at her.

"Either way he accepts he caused the injuries complained of," said Gareth rice, defending.

McPhee, 34, of Ennerdale Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assault. He was remanded on bail until August 5 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Suzeeda Ismail, prosecuting, said the couple had been out for a few drinks and she suspected he had been snorting cocaine as well. At some stage he took her phone and then accused her of cheating on him.

"He spent the whole evening arguing with her and she decided to sleep on the sofa," said Miss Ismail. "The next day he repeated the accusations, took her phone and hit it against her face. He took hold of her hair and dragged her off the sofa and into the kitchen."

Miss Ismail said the victim managed to break free and ran upstairs, locked herself in the bathroom and called the police.

"Her face was swollen and painful and the prosecution maintain the phone was used as a weapon," said Miss Ismail.

Mr Price said while the magistrates would have to determine whether the two versions of events would affect the sentence, there was no dispute over the fact his client had assaulted his partner and caused the injuries.