A husband has been fined after a row with his wife prompted her to call police.

Harry Sasha Horner, aged 46, of Greeba Road, Willaston, admitted provoking behaviour after he called her abusive names. At first, Horner pleaded not guilty but on Tuesday changed his plea to guilty.

Prosecutor Rebecca Cubbon told the court that police were called to Horner’s home on April 22 at 1.33am.

His wife said he was being verbally abusive and had been so since 9pm that evening calling her insulting names.

She also said he was being aggressive, nudging her and spitting at her.

Horner entered a basis of plea which Ms Cubbon said the prosecution were content for him to be sentenced on.

In it, Horner said he had not spat at his wife but that spittle may have flown out when he was shouting. He also said he had not deliberately nudged her but that they had both turned around at the same time causing them to come together.

Horner said he was not intoxicated. He had drunk one bottle of beer, but added that he had been taking medication, which he thought may have affected him. He accepted that his behaviour had been unacceptable.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said: ’Clearly this must have been an unpleasant incident with a lot of shouting. They have been married for around 10 years.’

Mr Wood went on to say that Horner’s wife had returned from the Philippines and told him that she had had relations with someone else.

Magistrates fined Horner £500 plus £300 costs.