A man who poured hot coffee over his wife and then threw the cup, hitting her head, has admitted assault.

The woman required six staples to close the wound to her head.

Andrew Paul Tattersall, of Hillberry Meadows, Douglas, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm when he appeared before magistrates on Thursday.

Tattersall, aged 47, will be sentenced on March 7, after a probation report has been prepared.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the court the offence had occurred in August 2017. The couple had been rowing after Tattersall’s wife returned home after visiting a friend.

It began as a verbal argument but escalated with Tattersall throwing hot coffee over his wife.

He then threw the cup with it, hitting her on the head and resulting in her suffering a wound which required six staples to close it.

When interviewed by police Tattersall gave ’no comment’ responses to all questions.

Advocate Louise Cooil said the prosecution facts were accepted, on the basis that Tattersall’s act in throwing the cup had been reckless rather than with intent to hit his wife with it. Magistrates ordered the probation report consider all options, including custody. Bail was granted.