Scott Wilson, from Fincairn Cottage Square, Drumahoe, admitted assaulting his wife outside their home on October 20 last in what Judge Desmond Marrinan described as "a ghastly and cowardly attack" following which the injured party had to "undergo a torturous period of re-adjustment".

The judge said he was suspending the sentence because of Wilson's previous good character, because he pleaded guilty to the offence at the earliest opportunity and because he accepted the comments of a probation officer who said that she believed Wilson's remorse and embarrassment following the assault on his wife were genuine.

Judge Marrinan said that, in cases of this nature, the court had to decide whether or not to order the defendant to pay compensation to his victim, but he declined to make the compensation order and said the victim could, if she wished, pursue the matter through the Compensation Agency.

Defence barrister Gordon Talbot said one of the couple's two daughters "supported the mother and the other supported her father".

He said Wilson was "distraught at and ashamed by his actions" which followed a domestic dispute after alcohol had been consumed by both parties.

A prosecution barrister said that Wilson hit his wife, causing her to fall during which she sustained a severing of an artery in her head which later required six stitches.

Judge Marrinan said he accepted the assault followed a "build-up of pressure" and that alcohol seemed to cause Wilson to have a "Jekyll and Hyde change in his personality".

He said Wilson and his wife, who are now separated, would "have to re-build their lives from different perspectives".