Assault man, 56 escapes prison (From Cotswold Journal)

Assault man, 56 escapes prison

9:00am Friday 15th March 2013 in News

A MAN who punched, kicked and strangled his estranged wife the day after signing their divorce papers has escaped being jailed.

Michael Pyne, aged 56, of Bannister Way, Shipston, pleaded guilty to assaulting Alison and was sentenced to 16 months in prison suspended for two years, with two years’ supervision.

Judge Peter Carr ordered him to do 300 hours of unpaid work and to pay his ex-wife £750 compensation, and made a restraining order.

Theresa Thorp, prosecuting, said Pyne had entered his plea on the basis that he had punched Alison, but had not kicked or strangled her – but that was rejected by magistrates.

She said Pyne attacked his wife after hiding at the side of the house. “He punched her, and she fell to the floor where he kicked her to the head and body and held her down with his knee while he strangled her,” she said.

When he was arrested, Pyne claimed his wife had struck him first and he had responded by punching her, but denied kicking or strangling.

Martin Groves, defending, said: “He has found it very difficult to accept the breakup.

He had signed his divorce papers the day before, so was at a very low ebb. He has learned his lesson.”