AN Ipswich house-husband who has been jailed for beating up his wife's lover told his victim: "I'm prepared to go down for murder."Father of four Terence Bennington, 41, formerly of Dickens Road, Ipswich went to Kevin Powles' home to confront him on August 22.

AN Ipswich house-husband who has been jailed for beating up his wife's lover told his victim: "I'm prepared to go down for murder."

Father of four Terence Bennington, 41, formerly of Dickens Road, Ipswich went to Kevin Powles' home to confront him on August 22.

Michael Crimp, prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court said: "Mr Powles turned and walked into his garage. The appellant (Bennington) followed him.

"Mr Powles put down the box he was carrying and told the appellant to get off his property. But Bennington said 'No I will not because you have stolen my property, my wife'."

Bennington approached his victim with "clenched fists and clenched teeth" and punched him about six times in the face.

Bennington said: "You knew she was married and had kids."

And Mr Powles said it was not all down to him.

The court heard that this remark enraged Bennington further and he pushed Mr Powles against a wall injuring his ear.

Mr Powles fell face down on the shingle driveway and Bennington put his foot on his back while he punched him on the head, neck and shoulders. Mr Powles managed to get free and tried to find safety near his neighbour's house.

Bennington followed and said: "I have three brothers all bigger than me, you have more to come."

He then punched him another five times stating: "I'm prepared to go down for murder, I have nothing to lose."

Bennington, who has since attempted suicide, then left Mr Powles and drove away. Mr Powles went to hospital suffering from a bloody ear and bruising to his head, neck and shoulders.

Bennington pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm and was sentenced to four months in prison by South East Suffolk Magistrates. He then appealed against the sentence.

Jude Durr, mitigating at Crown Court, said his client had been married to his wife Maureen for 17 years and had four children aged 20, 16, 12 and nine.

He said Bennington and his wife had argued on June 22, she admitted having had an affair for four months and they had separated.

The couple had had sexual intercourse on that same day but Mrs Bennington claimed she had been raped by her husband.

Mrs Bennington later withdrew the allegation and the charge was dropped.

Mr Durr said Bennington had also been made redundant from his job as a tool setter and had become a house-husband. He said Bennington had gone to Mr Powles' home but it was six foot Mr Powles who had struck out first and Bennington had acted in self-defence.

Mr Durr conceded that Bennington had carried on the fight but said his client could not remember making any threats.

He added: "He is now deeply remorseful."

Judge John Devaux said there was provocation but not on the day in question. Bennington was told his jail term would not be suspended and that the appropriate sentence was one of three months.

Judge Devaux added: "We have taken the view this was a deliberate going round to the victim's address, it was not for a cosy chat but to make trouble."