A PUB landlady was knocked unconscious in a ‘grave attack’ by her partner.

Deborah Nichol needed surgery to insert a metal plate into a fractured cheekbone and also apparently sustained three broken teeth.

Her then boyfriend, Terence Atkinson, had struck out to her face during an argument in the living quarters at The Office pub at Darwen.

He has been given a suspended prison sentence by a judge who told him he would also be on a 16 weeks long curfew, to remain at home from 8.30pm-6am each day.

Atkinson, 43, of Lisbon Drive, Darwen pleaded guilty to an offence of causing grievous bodily harm.

He and Ms Nichol had been in a relationship for around six years at the time of the offence on May 4.

Paul Brookwell, prosecuting, said the couple had been out drinking and returned to the living quarters of the pub.

During an argument, the defendant struck her a blow to the face which temporarily rendered her unconscious. Ms Nichol was taken to hospital by ambulance.

It turned out that her left cheekbone was fractured and needed a metal plate to be inserted.

Atkinson told police he had gone to bed when they got back to the living quarters. He suggested Ms Nichol had gone into the room and been shouting and screaming at him.

Martin Hackett, defending, said it was a single punch. She had approached him when he was in bed, remonstrated with the defendant and an argument continued.

"He is a man who is remorseful. He has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.

"He acted in a bad way".

Atkinson was given 52 weeks prison, suspended for two years and two years supervision. He was also informed he would be on a curfew for 13 weeks.

Judge Norman Wright told him "This is serious offending. It is clear this was not a pre meditated assault, but the nature of the injuries to her were particularly grave.

"By a margin, I can suspend the custodial sentence. ”