A MAN subjected his pregnant partner to a “terrifying” ordeal after finding a man’s name in her phone.

Blackburn magistrates heard the victim was dragged out of her own house by the hair, punched in the face and left virtually naked in the garden.

When she tried to get to her mother’s home she had to hide behind a car and described holding her breath so that he didn’t find her.

Matthew Brierley, 34, of Dale Street, Haslingden, was convicted after trial of assault and theft of a mobile phone. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days’ rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £80 and ordered to pay £150 compensation and £250 costs. He was made subject to a restraining order for 18 months.

Suzeeda Ismail, prosecuting, said the incident started after Brierley borrowed his partner’s phone to call his dad and saw a man’s name.

“She says that was someone she went to school with and it was totally innocent,” said Miss Ismail.

“He became extremely angry and she was scared for herself and her unborn child.”

The victim went to her mum’s house and she eventually gave her a lift back to her own home. She packed Brierley’s belongings in a bag and sent him a message telling him to come and collect them.

“A few minutes later she heard shouting and banging on the door and she told the defendant she would call the police if he didn’t leave,” said Miss Ismail. “He went but returned later and he was clearly drunk.”

Brierly punched his partner in the face before dragging her into the garden. She had managed to dial 999 before he grabbed her phone and threw it over the fence.

“He dragged her to the floor and every time she tried to get up he pushed her down again,” said Miss Ismail. “Her clothes had come off during the struggle and she was left more or less naked in the garden before he left.”

When the victim thought it was safe she left her house to go back to her mum’s but saw the defendant ahead coming back towards her.

“She was completely terrified and hid behind a car, holding her breath so he wouldn’t find her,” said Miss Ismail. “When she made a run for it she was relieved to see a police car which she waved down.”

Ian Huggan, defending, said his client accepted he had made bad choices on the day and behaved inappropriately although the full extent as put forward by the complainant was not accepted. He knew she was pregnant at the time and feels embarrassed and ashamed about his behaviour,” said Mr Huggan.

“The offences go back to May of last year and there has been no further incident.”