A surgeon who pulled his estranged wife's hair during a row over access to their children is facing a hearing before the General Medical Council, a court heard.
Dr Muhammad Akhtar admitted assaulting Saadia Shakil Akhtar by beating one day last November at their home in Exeter, Devon.
Exeter magistrates heard they were going through an 'acrimonious marriage breakdown' when he went to see her about child contact by prior agreement.
The 38-year-old surgeon GP "became angry and pulled her hair trying to get the children", said prosecutor Miss Emmi Wilson.
Miss Wilson said the victim slipped and the doctor tried to ease her fall by putting his hands on her shoulders.
The father-of-two did not accept that he tried to strangle her or grabbed her throat at any time.
Katrina Byrne, defending, said that the doctor was suspended by the GMC for 10 weeks after the attack and faces another hearing.
She said he has not been able to see his children since November because of bail conditions.
Akhtar, of Malvern, Worcester, was fined a total of £393 with costs and a 12 month restraining order was made banning him from contact with his ex wife.
