A 49-year-old man has been handed a suspended sentence for an assault on his wife.

Michael McKee, of Main Road, Greeba, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and was sentenced to 20 weeks’ custody, suspended for two years.

McKee was also made the subject of a two-year Suspended Sentence Supervision Order (SSSO) and ordered to pay £500 compensation to his wife.

We previously reported that McKee admitted assaulting the woman at Royal Avenue West in Onchan on June 5 where he was living with her at the time.

A basis of plea was entered in which he said that he was woken by his wife who had scratched him. He admitted striking her in the face knocking her to the ground, then kicking her twice with a bare foot.

Defence advocate Jim Travers asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty plea entered the day after the incident.

Mr Travers said that many defendants may prevaricate in such cases in the hope that the complainant may lose interest but that McKee had not acted in that way.

The advocate said that both parties had been intoxicated after drinking during the day.

He said: ’I would submit there is clear evidence of genuine heartfelt remorse. We are dealing with a 49-year-old man with no previous convictions.

’It is very apparent, his split from his wife and absence from the family home has hit Mr McKee hard. He remains mortified he acted as he did, regardless of what had gone before.

’However, this was a one-off out-of-character act.

’Mr McKee hopes there could be a move towards reconciliation in the future. He intends to complete an anger management course.’

Mr Travers went on to say that McKee spent seven days in prison as a result of his arrest, the equivalent of a two-week sentence.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told McKee: ’You have a lot of bridges to build between yourself and your family and I agree a period of supervision is appropriate.’

McKee was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs. He must pay the compensation and costs by November 1.