A man from Durrington ‘tried to calm down his hysterical wife by slapping her’.
David Moss pleaded guilty to assault by beating when he appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning (Monday) after being remanded in police custody overnight.
Prosecutor Ben May said the 49-year-old and his wife had been drinking with friends and then attended a disco together where they became “mildly intoxicated”.
On the way home, his wife – who suffers from mobility issues – complained about having pain. When he accused her of lying, an argument ensued.
He told her to leave their family home, but she refused. Moss proceeded to slap her on the cheek, causing swelling, reddening and light bruising.
In interview, he made full admissions to officers but claimed he did not remember the argument. He said that he believed his wife was “becoming hysterical” and slapped her to try and calm her down.
The full-time employed bus driver told officers “I just want to hold her and say sorry”.
The court heard that in custody, Moss, who has a previous conviction for sexual assault in 1992, made comments that caused police to have concerns about his welfare.
Luke Jameson, defending, said that his client is “extremely stressed and remorseful” and “would like to apologise to his wife”. He said the couple met ten years ago and married eight years ago.
Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report. Moss was bailed but broke down in the dock, whimpering loudly as the bench included a condition of no direct or indirect contact with his wife.
The defendant, formerly of Durrington but now of Raleigh Crescent, Amesbury, will attend Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on 29 June for sentence.
