Lager court cost for wife attack

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/7892740.stm

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A "drunken bully" who broke his wife's wrist has been spared jail, but ordered to pay £1 a day - "the cost of a can of Special Brew" - in court costs.

Phillip Yeomans, 62, of Teignmouth, Devon, assaulted his wife last August after a series of rows.

An armed siege followed in which Yeomans armed himself with a knife and threatened police officers.

The judge at Exeter Crown Court sentenced Yeomans to 40 weeks in prison, suspended for two years.

The jury was told Yeomans' wife Jean needed surgery under general anaesthetic to straighten her broken arm after the attack.

Supervision order

During the siege, Yeomans threw a cup of liquid - which he said was urine - over police officers, but later said it was water from a glass he kept his teeth in.

After surrendering, Yeomans claimed he could not remember the incident after drinking cider and strong Special Brew.

Yeomans admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and affray.

He was given a two-year supervision order and ordered to pay £100 towards court costs.

Recorder Michael Cullum told him:"You are a drunken bully. You have destroyed the trust in your marriage."

He said the amount was the equivalent of "a can of Special Brew a day, effectively £7 a week."

"Many will say you deserve imprisonment today - I hope I have made the right decision," he added.