A man who punched his wife after a discussion about their relationship has been ordered to do work for the community.

William Ridgewell, of Valley Road, Clacton, punched his wife Amanda twice in the face, said Annette Redgrave, prosecuting.

She left the house and went to the police station in Walton but there was no-one there and she then phoned them for help.

David Davies, mitigating, said 23-year-old Ridgewell was remorseful and embarrassed by his behaviour.

Colchester magistrates on Friday ordered him to complete a community punishment order for one year with 80 hours work in the community. He was ordered to pay £200 compensation with £200 costs.

Published Monday January 19, 2004

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