A MAN was seen by neighbours repeatedly striking his partner in the face after she pulled a television from a wall and ‘came at him with it’.

Howard Butler, 61, was a year into his relationship with Andrea Williams when the incident occurred at his Ambleside home on October 5.

Butler had earlier taken her to and from work, and cooked her favourite meal, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

A small amount of wine had been drunk. But as a row began over a comment Butler made, he decided to hide the wine bottle in an upstairs bedroom.

Ms Williams followed him.

“It is agreed she smashed a TV off the wall and came at him with it,” said prosecutor Brendan Burke.

“She was still trying to find out where the wine was.

“Events then moved downstairs.

“A neighbour and her husband heard screaming from the address. They looked out, went outside of their property, could see through into the hallway of the defendant’s house and saw him astride the complainant, repeatedly hitting her in the face.

“They also saw the complainant kick or knee him in the groin, which is how the attack on her ended.”

When police arrived, Ms Williams – who suffered bruising to both eyes and both sides of her face – spoke of it being ‘just a domestic’ and ‘didn’t want matters taken any further’.

Mr Burke stated she also asked that Butler not be arrested, adding: “It’s out of character for him.”

Butler, of Castlefield, Ambleside, admitted actual bodily harm assault on the basis he hit Ms Williams more than once having repeatedly tried to prevent her striking him and causing further damage.

David Traynor, defending, said: “There is, of course, no excuse for the use of domestic violence.”

He added: “This is, genuinely, a first incident in the relationship.”

Mr Traynor said it was felt the probation service could help Butler. He said: “Working with him to make sure this doesn’t happen again is the most beneficial sentence for the wider public in this case.”

Recorder Alex Leach agreed, taking into account the stressful impact of the Covid pandemic as he suspended a 19-week jail term for two years.

Butler must complete a ‘building better relationships’ course, rehabilitation and 100 hours’ unpaid work.

“I am satisfied you present a real prospect of rehabilitation so that immediate custody is not necessary,” Recorder Leach said.