A WOMAN feared that her partner might kill her as he subjected her to multiple kicks and punches during a frightening attack, a court heard.

The violence erupted at the woman's Carlisle home after a night out.

At the city's Rickergate Magistrates' Court, Aaron Paul Devaney, 31, admitted an assault causing actual bodily harm, criminal damage and possessing the class B drug cannabis.

On the night of the offences the defendant, of Buchanan Road, Carlisle, had been out with the victim, Natalie Ann McDougal, said prosecutor Malcolm Isherwood. They returned to her home at the end of the evening.

"The defendant became aggressive and said he'd smash her house up," said the prosecutor.

"She said: 'Do it and I'll call the police.' He then struck and oil burner and it smashed; and he then smashed the TV screen by throwing the remote at it.

"He pushed her with his hands on to the floor and leaned down, swinging punches at her, hitting her head and face; and also kicking her with his right foot."

Miss McDougall curled up to protect herself during the attack.

"She thought he was going to kill her because he was being so violent," said Mr Isherwood.

The victim was able to crawl to her front door and escape to a friend's house.

Though she suffered only relatively minor injuries - grazes and a black eye - the offence was charged as an assault causing actual bodily harm because of the manner of the attack, added Mr Isherwood.

Paul Tweddle, for Devaney, said it was the first time the victim had been assaulted and both she and the defendant had been drinking heavily.

"He's abstained from alcohol and no longer uses cannabis," said the lawyer. Magistrates said their powers were inadequate and sent the case to Carlisle Crown Court for sentencing on October 26. Devaney was given bail but told not to contact the victim or enter Buchanan Road.