A MAN who blamed his drinking on rumours that his wife was having an affair assaulted her twice in the same day at their home in Ilton.

Johnathon Gaylard pinned her arms behind her back and forced her onto a sofa then sat on her back causing pain.

Later that day he said “I’m drinking because you’re having an affair” and then punched her on the arm and back. When interviewed by police said he needed help.

In a victim impact statement read to the court his wife said she was “extremely worried” about the defendant coming back into her life.

She wrote: “Once the bail conditions are lifted I am concerned he will blackmail me to live with him, but I don’t want to live on eggshells.

“I’m on edge every time the phone rings and am a mess emotionally and blamed myself for what happened.

“I’ve lost weight and am struggling to sleep and it has also had a financial impact and I just want this to be over so I can move on with my life.”

Gaylard, 44, of The Hill, Langport, pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting Lindsay Gaylard by beating her on May 22 when he appeared before Somerset Magistrates.

Prosecutor Julyan Stephens said that on the day in question the victim returned from the school run to find her husband had been drinking and they started arguing.

“Gaylard called her a whore, slut and slapper and she tried to get away from him but he grabbed her roughly from behind, held her hands behind her back and forced her onto the sofa and sat on her back causing pain,” he said.

“He then jumped off saying he was sorry and showed remorse but later that day at 9pm he started asking her questions because he believed she was having an affair but she said she was not.”

He said Gaylard then lunged at his wife and punched her on the left arm causing pain and bruising and then punched her on the back.

Five days later she found him drinking again and reported the earlier matters to the police and he was arrested.

During interview he said he could not remember what happened but said he knew he had done it because his wife wouldn’t lie.

“He said he needed some help and when asked about his drinking said he was an alcoholic and his drinking had worsened since he suspected his wife was having an affair,” added Mr Stephens.

“He then described himself as a horrible violent scumbag when he drank and accepted he should not have behaved in the way he did.”

Gareth Webb, defending, said Gaylard immediately accepted what he had done and was remorseful and had gone through a process of self-realisation.

“He believes he can go back to his former place of work as he has financial obligations to his wife and family and there has already been an element of punishment due to their separation,” he said.

“This has clearly been a devastating incident for his wife and things now have to be resolved.”

The magistrates sentenced Gaylard to a 12-month community order where he must complete the Building Better Relationships programme, take part in a 20-day activity requirement and to carry out 40 hours' unpaid work. Costs of £40, a £60 victim surcharge and a £150 court charge were also imposed.

They also made a six-month restraining order during which time he must not contact his wife directly or indirectly except via a solicitor and one named person and must not go to her address in Ilton.