A WOMAN who repeatedly punched her ex-husband because he taunted her about his affair was treated with leniency in court at his request.

Tracy Field, 37, of Sullivan Circle, Newport, flew into a rage at her ex-husband, Jason. The couple had been together for 21 years.

Cwmbran Magistrates Court heard the attack came after he left her to continue an affair with a dental nurse.

The trio had been in touch in the days leading up to the incident by text message and telephone, before Mr Field turned up unannounced at his ex-wife's home on December 11.

Defence counsel Rob Young said the pair became involved in a heated argument which became physical and Ms Field "completely lost control."

"I hit him, I hit him and I hit him," she said in interview, before pleading guilty to assault on Wednesday.

The court heard Ms Field, of previous good character, was "bitterly upset" and had "reached the end of her tether."

But Mr Young said Mr Field felt responsible for what happened and while there was no chance of reconciliation, he came to court to support his ex-wife.

Prosecutor Jamie Dewar read out a statement from the victim, who recalled being hit to the face and said he had a knife held to his throat during the events which unfolded.

But he asked to withdraw pressing charges over the attack in front of district judge Richard Williams, who conceded the atmosphere that day must have been "charged with bitterness and a sense of betrayal."

The judge said considering the circumstance he was prepared to "unusually" hand out a conditional discharge for 12 months.

Ms Field will have to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge, but no compensation.