A man has been put on probation for an assault on his estranged wife.

Rui Filipe Monteiro Ramos, aged 23, of Cullen Link, in Anagh Coar, admitted offences of common assault on a female and provoking behaviour.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes sentenced him to an 18-month probation order.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told how Ramos’ wife had called police to her address at Coinney Avenue in Anagh Coar at 10.20pm on May 2.

She said her husband was trying to break in and was threatening to harm her.

Police arrived and found her in a distressed state.

She said she had been having difficulties with her husband for two years due to his mental health and violent outbursts.

She said she wanted to make a formal complaint and that on the day in question there had been a family party which her husband had missed due to him working late.

The woman said this had sent Ramos into a rage and they had argued.

She said Ramos had got up in her face shouting and calling her names, saying she was disrespectful for having the party without him.

He was then said to have smashed a phone on the floor and stamped on her foot before spitting in her face.

The woman’s foot was said to be showing as reddening but was not injured.

She said she had managed to get Ramos out of the house and locked the door but he then kicked it and shouted: ’Call the police, it’s the only way I’m leaving.’

He then left on a motorbike.

Police located Ramos and when interviewed he admitted getting angry due to missing the party but denied spitting, saying it may have happened unintentionally. He said he had accidentally stood on his wife’s foot when he stood up suddenly.

On May 22 the woman provided a retraction statement but had said that she was not saying that the incident didn’t happen and it was more because she did not want Ramos punished too much as he had been receiving help.

Advocate Louise Cooil said a probation report and psychiatric report had been prepared which contained sensitive information and that Ramos has been referred to mental health services.

Ms Cooil said: ’Whilst this is a domestic incident, it is perhaps not the worst to come before these courts. Mr Ramos is extremely motivated to change and has taken the first steps to do so.’

High Bailiff Mrs Hughes said: ’There seem to be lots of issues which need to be addressed which may not be by a short custodial sentence.’

Ramos was sentenced to 18 months for each offence to run concurrently and ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.