Robert MacPherson, 42, of Main Street, appeared at Bridlington Magist-rates Court on Monday. He pleaded guilty to assault by beating at an earlier hearing on July 21.

Mr MacPherson was arrested and remanded in custody on June 24 after police received a complaint from his wife, Karen MacPherson, following an assault at the couple's home on June 22.

According to Mike Waudby, prosecuting, shortly before the assault took place Mr MacPherson had been drinking at home when an argument broke out between the couple, who have three children, over an email Mrs MacPherson had received.

Mr Waudby said: "He subjected her to verbal abuse and assaulted her by pushing her to the ground and grabbing her by the throat and at that point he had his hammer in his possession. He made various threats towards her and one of their children partially witnessed the incident."
According to Mr Waudby, this was the second time Mrs Macpherson had been assaulted by her husband with a similar incident occurring on March 23.

"Mr MacPherson had been drinking cans of bitter and Karen MacPherson had put the children to bed. Everything seemed to be an amicable arrangement. An argument started after Mr MacPherson had been talking angrily to Mrs MacPherson's father, who is terminally ill, and he punched Karen MacPherson in the right eye which left it blackened," Mr Waudby said.

Mr MacPherson was arrested and later charged with failing to provide a specimen of blood for testing at the police station.

Despite initially denying the charge, Mr MacPherson pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen and to assault by beating at Bridlington on July 21.

Representing Mr MacPh-erson, Dave Robson, said: "My client is truly ashamed of these incidents. His wife has remained loyal to him for the sake of the children and she has continued to visit him in Hull Prison."
Mr Robson said Mr MacPherson had recently been made redundant.

"He has become more depressed and these particular incidents have resulted with him drinking and lashing out at his wife.

"He has accepted the injuries with regards to the first matter, but he couldn't say how they have occurred. During the second incident he pushed his wife, he had a hammer and threatened to cause damage to the house," Mr Robson added.

Mr Macpherson was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison and disqualified from driving for three years.

Presiding magistrate, Tom Jefferson, said: "The crime is so serious we can't find any alternative other than to send you to prison."