A HUSBAND who found his wife in bed with another man later headbutted her and hit her with a poker, a court has heard.

Robert Hassard, 44, of Widgery Road, Whipton, pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife Catherine by beating on December 2, last year.

Exeter magistrates heard that he discovered his wife's infidelity when he had returned from work early.

David Burgess, prosecuting, said: "He had been feeling unwell and so went home where he found his wife in bed. There was another man with her.

"They left and the defendant began to drink. He told police that he had four or five litres of cider and that he was in a 'red haze'.

"When his wife returned to the house, he slapped her twice in the face and headbutted her. He also hit her with a poker but he claims this was accidental as she was struck as he was trying to smash their television.

"Fortunately, his wife only suffered minor injuries."

His wife reported the matter to police and he was interviewed, he said that his wife "had broken his heart" and that was why he had lashed out.

Hassard has no previous convictions.

Stephen Nunn, in mitigation, said his client accepted most of the prosecution's case and reiterated that striking his wife with a poker had been accidental. He added that his client had limited means if the court was considering any kind of financial penalty.

Magistrates told Hassard that it was a particularly "unpleasant assault". They said there was "a great deal of mitigation" with regard to his cuckolding, but it did not in any way excuse his actions.

They said: "A lot of drink was involved and no one forced you to put it down your throat. It is certain that this added to the problem."

He was given a community order for 12 months with a supervision requirement which will see him have to undergo treatment to help him with his drinking.

He will have to pay costs of £85 and there was no order for compensation as the court heard that the couple had now been reconciled.