Pensioner attacked wife after drinking

A PENSIONER who threw a coffee table at his wife of 36 years during a sustained attack walked free from court to be reconciled with his waiting partner.

Ex army vet John Fisher, 66, carried out an "appalling" 40-minute attack on his wife at their Benacre Road home in Ipswich.

South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard how Fisher simply "lost it" on the anniversary of their son's death.

While the half-hour hearing took place Mrs Fisher waited for husband outside the court.

Prosecutor Sandra Dyer told the court: "Mr Fisher was at home but left to go to the pub. When he returned 45 minutes later he was drunk and started calling his wife names."

The unprovoked abuse spiralled until he started throwing candles at his wife and then a small coffee table.

Mrs Dyer went on: "He was punching her in the face and kicking her. The force of one of the punches was enough to knock her to the ground. When she threatened to call the police he slapped her in the face."

When the police arrived mid afternoon on December 29 they reported scratches on her arms and legs. She told them the attack had left her "shaken up and terrified".

In a statement to police, Fisher said he remembered slapping his wife around the face but couldn't remember kicking or punching her.

The court heard that Fisher was of good character, who admitted actual bodily harm, and had never been in trouble with the police before.

Defender Roger Thomson said: "Mr Fisher has been married for 36 years. He served his country in the army. And then all of a sudden he loses it and attacks his wife.

"It was the date of the anniversary of his son's death but he cannot explain his actions."

Mrs Fisher moved into her daughter's home following the attack, but hoped to reconcile with her husband after the hearing.

Chairman of Bench, David Coe, sentenced Fisher to a 120-hour community punishment order and ordered him to pay £55 costs.