TWO female members of staff at a Blackburn hostel were assaulted by a resident who came home smelling of drink and cannabis.

Blackburn magistrates heard Aaron Richard Taylor punched one of the women to the head and then threw a heavy chair at the other, hitting her on the arms as she tried to protect herself.

Taylor then pinned the first woman to the floor with his knee and punched her four or five times before punching the second victim who was trying to drag him off her colleague.

Taylor, 34, of the Salvation Army Hostel, Heaton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault. He was jailed for 18 weeks.

Richard Greenhough, prosecuting, said Taylor was living at the Islington Motel and there was an argument about the amount of rent he owed.

"When one of the ladies said she would call the police he became abusive and aggressive," said Mr Greenhough. He said Taylor had 11 previous convictions for offences against the person.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client, who had mental health problems, had worked himself up into a state.

"He perceived the Islington Motel were taking money from him that they needed to," said Mr Taylor.

"He didn't understand why they kept asking for top up over and above the housing benefits they were already receiving."

Mr Taylor said that since the incident in December Taylor had taken a look at himself and was now working with Inspire, the drink and drug support agency.

"He appreciates the court will take a dim view of the fact this was two females acting in the course of their work," said Mr Taylor.