The partner of a drunken wife-beater wanted them to stay together despite his attacks on her, a judge was told on Thursday.

“She is still supportive and wants your marriage to continue,” remarked Judge Huw Rees at Caernarfon crown court. “It says more about her than about you.”

Ian Donnellan, 56, of Bryn Castell, Conwy, admitted three common assaults on his wife Sharon and breaking an eight-month suspended sentence imposed at Mold crown court for possessing offensive weapons, a hammer and knife, and a public order offence.

He was sent to prison for eight months for the assaults and a further four months was imposed for breaching the suspended term.

Prosecuting, Sarah Badrawy said Donnellan argued with his wife about drinking and had punched her face and kicked her while on the floor last October.

Then in February, after an argument about money, he slapped her face, pushed her to the floor and dug his teeth into her scalp.

After being told to leave their home he returned at 1am two days later, grabbed her by the shoulders and thrust her against a kitchen wall, picking up a butter knife.

“Mrs Donnellan later reflected, saying she loved the defendant and wished to be reconciled with him,” said the prosecutor.

Sarah Yates, defending, said Donnellan was extremely remorseful and apologetic to his wife.

He had suffered PTSD because of experiences in the RAF, which he left in 1989, but had now sought help for his drinking.

Passing the twelve-month sentence, Judge Rees told Donnellan he’d been given a chance by the crown court last year but within three months had offended again.