A MAN grabbed his wife by the jaw and threw her to the floor after she found out he had been having an affair.

Ulverston man Keifer William Springthorpe, 28, faced the bench at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court in Abbey Road on Wednesday.

Springthorpe was charged with assault by beating and criminal damage to a property valued at £100.

The court heard how Springthorpe, an engineer, beat his wife, mother-of-one Harriet Springthorpe, at their family home in Birchwood Drive, on June 30.

During the altercation, Springthorpe also damaged the bathroom door.

Prosecutor Amy Cabram told magistrates: “The defendant was found to be having an affair.

“During an argument, the defendant grabbed the victim by the jaw and threw her to the floor.”

Ms Cabram added that the incident had happened where the couple’s child lives.

The court also heard Springthorpe told police he could not remember the incident.

Defence solicitor Mike Graham confirmed to the court the pair’s child was not in the family home during the attack.

He also told magistrates that the victim Mrs Springthorpe did not want a restraining order or compensation for her injuries.

Mr Graham stated that since the physical assault Springthorpe has paid for and replaced the broken bathroom door.

The court heard the defendant and his wife are now on speaking terms for the sake of their child.

Springthorpe works as an engineer in Germany and travels back to his home in Ulverston ever two weeks, the court heard.

Sentencing Springthorpe, magistrates told the defendant he will have to make time to carry out 170 hours of unpaid work when he returns from working on mainland Europe.

Magistrates took into account the defendant’s guilty plea.

Springthorpe must carry out the unpaid work within the next 12 months and he was also ordered to pay £341 in total.

Springthorpe was ordered to pay £166 criminal damage, a £90 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

He has 28 days to pay the full amount of £341.

If you are a victim of abuse, there are support groups offering help including Women’s Community Matters.

Located in the Nan Tait Centre, Women’s Community Matters offer as much support as possible to women who are victims of domestic and sexual abuse.

If anyone would like more information pop in and see the group’s volunteer co-ordinator, who holds a short drop-in session on Wednesdays at noon until 1pm.

Alternately contact: bev@womenscommunitymatters.org