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A man attacked his girlfriend and set her clothes on fire after she voted LABOUR in the 2017 general election, a court heard.

Robert Cochrane, 36, slapped and punched Misty Greenwood and squeezed her cheek before saying: "That's what you get for voting Labour."

He trashed her home near Blackburn, Lancs., in a drunken rage and prevented the terrified victim from leaving during the 90 minute ordeal.

Burnley Crown Court, Lancs., heard Ms Greenwood did eventually escape and ran to her cousins house wearing nothing but a nightie during the incident on June 10.

Prosecuting Stephen Parker said that around 2.30am Cochrane broke his way into Ms Greenwood's home and found her asleep on the settee.

She then attempted to leave the house - but Cochrane blocked her path to the front door and said: "I am going to kill you."

(Image: Photodisc)

Mr Parker then told the court on Friday: "He then continued to slap and punch the victim and threw her around the living room.

"She was extremely frightened. She hadn't seen that side of him before."

Ms Greenwood then managed to escape through the front door and ran to her cousin's house for refuge.

When she returned home after several hours Cochrane had left the house, but Ms Greenwood saw some of her clothes had been set on fire outside her front door.

Mr Parker said the defendant caused £650 of damage after he smashed up Ms Greenwood's TV and laptop.

The court heard police officers arrested the drunken father-of-two at a pub in Accrington, Lancs., the following evening.

Cochrane, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to battery, arson and criminal damage.

(Image: Press Association Images)

Clare Thomas, defending, said her client was 'remorseful' and ashamed that his 13-year-old son had been walking past the pub when he had been arrested.

Ms Thomas said: "He's somebody who clearly has a significant problem with alcohol -

he drinks to excess."

The court heard that Cochrane had 10 previous convictions for 17 offences.

Jailing Cochrane for nine months, Judge Andrew Woolman told him : "You are not only damaging your own health - you're damaging the mental health of your children."

He was also made subject of a two-year restraining order banning him from contacting Ms Greenwood.