A DALGETY BAY husband has been spared jail after a vicious assault on his wife.

Michael Duncan, 37, of Skua Drive, previously admitted that on March 16, 2019, at his home address, he assaulted his partner by slapping her on the face repeatedly, seized her by the throat, pinned her against a wall and pushed her, causing her to strike her head on the wall, and pushed her on the body, causing her to fall to the ground, all to her severe injury.

He also previously admitted to assaulting a male by placing him in a headlock to his injury and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner which was likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm in that he did shout, swear, throw a glass, punch a hole in a wall and utter threats of violence.

Defence solicitor Gwen Haggerty said Duncan had been out in Glasgow at a gig with the complainer and that he was "utterly ashamed" of his behaviour.

"It appears to be an isolated incident, albeit a very serious one," she said.

"He has recognised the part alcohol had in this incident and has sought steps to address that."

Sheriff Charles Macnair said: "This was a very serious offence involving serious harm to your wife.

"The combination of two things stop you going to prison today.

"The gap between these circumstances and your previous convictions and your plea of guilty.

"Had these previous convictions been more recent, I would have undoubtedly sent you to prison for a significant period.

"I am just prepared to deal with you by way of a non-custodial sentence but if you do not comply, you can expect to go to prison."

The sheriff imposed a community payback order of three years' supervision and 300 hours of unpaid work.