A suspicious husband who hit his wife in the face after an all day drinking binge has been sent on courses to tackle his domestic violence and alcohol abuse.
Stephen Wright attacked his partner in front of three of their children and hit her so hard she feared she had suffered a broken jaw, Exeter Crown Court was told.
The father-of-five became abusive and violent after returning home to the family home in South Molton and starting an argument.
Wright, aged 42, of South Molton, admitted causing actual bodily harm and was jailed for six months, suspended for two years, and ordered to attend courses to address issues of domestic violence and alcohol abuse as part of two years supervision.
He was also barred from going to the family home for three months to provide a 'cooling off' period for his wife. He has already served 18 days in custody awaiting sentence.
Judge Barry Cotter, QC, told him:"You had been in a relationship with your wife for 12 years and made accusations against her for reasons which are none of my business.
"You made the accusations in phone calls and texts and on a previous occasion when they plainly triggered wholly unacceptable and violent behaviour.
"This offence happened when you had been drinking all day. You came back home and were out of control. You assaulted you wife while three of your children were watching.
"Domestic violence in the context of a relationship can be more serious because the victim has nowhere to go. This was aggravated by prolonged violence with children witnessing the traumatic event.
"I have heard you are of otherwise good character and area hard working man and probably a loving husband and father in the past. The suspicions you had and the way you reacted led you to behave in a way which is simply intolerable."
The judge said he was influenced in his sentence by the 'pragmatic and sensible' approach of the victim, who wanted Wright freed from jail for the sake of the children.
Mr David Bowen, prosecuting, said the domestic incident happened last month when Wright attacked his wife, who had been married to him for five years and in a relationship with him for 12.
He said:"The defendant had been drinking all day and came home. He became aggressive and verbally abusive. He struck his wife while she was on the bed and also kicked her hard on the thigh.
"He went downstairs and started to damage property and while downstairs he struck her to the side of the face while making threats. She thought her jaw was broken but it was found not to be."
Mr Nigel Wraith, defending, said Wright had admitted his guilt straight away and has already served 18 days in jail as a result of his behaviour.
He urged the Judge to follow the proposals of a probation report which recommended supervision and a 'Building better relationships' course.
