AN argument over the cost of an MOT led a man to assault his wife and their nine-year-old child.

The Walcot man – who cannot be identified due to a court order protecting the child’s identity – appeared in custody before magistrates sitting in Swindon on Monday morning where he pleaded guilty to the two offences.

The court heard that neighbours had alerted the police to a disturbance at around 5.45pm on Saturday night saying that a woman had just come out of the property and appeared to be crying. The woman told the neighbour that she and her child had just been hit by her partner. When police arrived they described the man as being intoxicated.

Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, told the magistrates that the man had come home and drunk a bottle and a half of wine when the argument over the car’s MOT broke out with his partner. It was alleged that he spat at his wife and the child, although the defendant disputes doing this deliberately.

“She tried to grab his t-shirt at which point he tried to grab her by the throat, but she was able to get away from him,” said Mr Ballinger. “He grabbed her by the wrist. The child came in and started to stick up for their mother. The defendant didn’t want the child involved so took hold of the child’s wrist and went outside. He admits he might have grabbed the child harder than he intended to. When he gets angry he does spit a bit, but it is not deliberate spitting.”

Defending the man, Emma Thacker told the court: “He accepts the grab to his child and the push to his wife. Both he and his wife were under the influence of alcohol. This gentleman wishes for assistance with alcohol. He has become reliant on alcohol to deal with stress and the stresses of life.

“He is the only bread-winner and says he simply cannot earn enough money to keep his family and that is why they were arguing about the cost of the MOT. It is causing him great upset. He copes by drinking alcohol. He knows that his actions have resulted in the breakdown of his family.”

The magistrates decided to adjourn the matter for the probation service to prepare a report on the man. In the meantime he was released on conditional bail not to contact his family or go to the family home – except for one visit escorted by a police officer to collect his belongings. He must live and sleep at his own parents’ address until he next appears in court for sentencing on May 6.