Magistrates this week told David James Cooke, 40, that he appeared to be more concerned for his own reputation and his work arrangements than for his victim.

Cooke, of Manorfield Avenue, was sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for two years, when he appeared in court in Bridlington on Wednesday.

He had pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his wife, Jennifer, at an earlier hearing.

He was also given a two year supervision order, including taking part in the Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme, and told to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work, to run concurrently.

He was also made the subject of a restraining order, which was set to run alongside both the suspended sentence and the supervision order.
In addition, he was ordered to pay £300 in compensation to Mrs Cooke and £43 costs.

Sentencing Cooke, presiding magistrate Edward Rimmer said the bench felt that only a custodial sentence was appropriate.

He said: "This was an extremely serious assault on a vulnerable person, namely your wife.

"It was a prolonged attack and ended with you knocking her to the ground and kicking her while she was on the ground.

"You were more bothered about your good name and the work position you may lose than remorse towards your wife."

The court was told that the incident happened in the early hours of April 5, after the couple had attended a function at Driffield Rugby Club.

Although they had split up for a time, Cooke had been allowed back into the family home a few weeks before the incident took place.

Heather Levett, prosecuting, said Cooke had forced his wife to dance with him at the end of the evening and had become aggressive after she pulled away as he attempted to kiss her.

He continued to be abusive as they began to walk home from the function.
The bench was told that Cooke repeatedly pushed his wife during the journey across the town, including into a fence and a hedge.

He also dragged her out of a telephone box as she attempted to contact police and grabbed her from behind twice, rubbing himself against her as they came into Manorfield Avenue.

As she again tried to seek help, Cooke dragged her away and kicked her three times while she was on the ground, the court was told.

Mrs Cooke suffered facial injuries, a bruised hip, a swollen ankle and pains in her shoulder as a result of the attack.

When interviewed, Cooke admitted pushing and grabbing her, but denied any sexual motive. He said he could not remember kicking her, but accepted he must have done so.

Lawrence Watts, mitigating, said his client was embarrassed, ashamed and remorseful about having to attend court.

He told the bench there had been violence on both sides during the relationship and they had visited counsellors in the past.
He said Cooke had 'deep-seated insecurities' about the strength of the relationship and had 'relapsed' into previous behaviour on the evening of the incident.
He added that the couple had been to the event to 'test the waters' and that Cooke accepted the relationship between him and his wife had irretrievably broken down.
He had also resigned as head coach of the Driffield Rugby Club's under sevens and was unsure over whether he would keep his job as a result of the case, the court was told.