A CWMBRAN man who attempted to strangle his wife with a scarf has been spared jail.

Mark Pritchard, aged 40, of Trostrey, Cwmbran, was sentenced at Newport Crown Court on Wednesday for two counts of assault by beating. He pleaded guilty to both counts at an earlier hearing.

Nigel Fryer, prosecuting, told the court that Pritchard’s relationship with his wife Marie, with whom he has two children, had broken down after 17 years of marriage and that he was living in the garage of the family home in November 2014 when the incidents took place.

The first incident took place in the evening on November 21, when Pritchard had his wife pinned to the sofa and licked her face. The second assault took place on November 23 when Pritchard pinned his wife on her bed and again licked her face.

When she tried to fight him off the second time, he covered her mouth with the palm of his hand and pinched her nose. The court heard that she was trying to scream but his hand was blocking the noise and she couldn't breathe.

She kicked the defendant in the groin and then he grabbed hold of the scarf she was wearing and pulled tightly around her neck.

After the attack Mrs Pritchard phoned the police and noticed she had coughed up a small amount of blood. She had a red graze above her right eye and a red band on her upper neck where she had been strangled.

Mr Fryer said: "She was petrified and honestly believed he was going to kill her - certainly when he covered her mouth. She was very shaken by the incident."

He told the court that Mrs Pritchard had felt physically sick the week following the incident. Pritchard has two previous convictions from 1994 for drug possession and assault occasioning actual bodily harm against his wife in 2009.

Owen Williams, defending, said: "Mr Pritchard by his plea accepts fully culpability. He accepts he behaved in a despicable manner and accepts he must be punished."

The court heard that Pritchard was diagnosed with a muscular disease in 2009 which his wife said changed his temper.

Recorder C R Fox said: "What you did to your wife on the 23rd of November caused her considerable harm and anxiety. There was absolutely no excuse; for it was disgusting behaviour.”

Pritchard was sentenced to six months imprisonment which was suspended for 24 months. He will be subject to a supervision requirement for 18 months and will have to attend a build better relationships programme.

Pritchard will also be subject to a restraining order not to contact his wife. He will have to pay £200 in prosecution costs and an £80 victim surcharge.