A MAN has pleaded guilty to assaulting his partner in front of their young children.

Lee Rowberry, aged 36, of Wadborough Road, Kempsey near Worcester, admitted the charge against his partner of eight years at Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday, August 6.

Kerry Lovegrove, prosecuting, told the court the couple lived together two days a week.

“On the evening of Friday, July 13, she went to visit a friend,” she said. “She returned about 2.30am and found the defendant drinking there with a friend. She says she joined them.

“At 5am on Saturday they were still up and listening to music. She says out of nowhere he called her a rude name and said she was a bad mum and housewife. He then grabbed her left leg.

“She went to the bathroom and when she came out he was upstairs. He pushed her and she hit her back on the bannister. He then grabbed her by the hair and down the stairs.

“The children were watching at the top of the stairs and were very upset. He opened the front door and grabbed her and threw her outside. She fell on the pavement and he began shouting insults. She says she is very scared of him.”

David Ollivere, defending, said the behaviour was out of character for Rowberry, who has since begun attending Alcoholics Anonymous. He said: “He is a man with a strong work ethic and works away a lot so in recent times he has sought comfort in alcohol.

“He is sure his partner has been unfaithful, that is the explanation not an excuse. There is genuine remorse. He loves his partner.”

Magistrates sentenced him to a 12 month community order, with 12 month supervision and a requirement to attend eight domestic violence workshops. He was ordered to pay £85 in costs.