A HUSBAND threatened to strangle and drown his wife during a furious row at their home, a court has heard.

David Hunter, 44, of South View, Ushaw Moor, pushed Tracey Hunter to the floor and then forced her into the shower to wash away the blood from a wound to her head.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how, as Mrs Hunter struggled and begged her husband of 20 years to let her go, he kept her in the bathroom, where she spoke to his new girlfriend on the telephone.

Following the ordeal, which involved her being dragged back into the bathroom after she managed to escape, and breaking a tooth on the side of the bath, Mrs Hunter had substantial bruising to her body and a 3cm wound to the back of her head.

The court heard how trouble erupted in the early hours of June 19 last year after Mrs Hunter had seen a solicitor about a divorce.

Hunter finally let his wife leave the house, and she ran to a neighbour's house where she was "shocked and shaking" and taken to North Durham hospital.

Hunter, a mechanic who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to assault.

He spent ten days in custody after his arrest.

Defence barrister David Callan said: "This was a long, unhappy and difficult marriage.

"He admits he was wrong in pushing her and misguided in trying to clean her up and forcing her into the shower."

Judge John Milford said the exceptional circumstances of the case meant the inevitable prison sentence could be suspended.

Judge Milford said he took into account the fact he spent a short time in Durham Prison, the fact he is still providing for his youngest child and the stringent bail conditions after his release.

He sentenced Hunter to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered him to pay £500 costs.