FATHER-OF-FOUR Cornelius Smith pushed his partner and she hit her head on a metal bedpost, a court heard. Smith lost his temper with Beverley Parker after she made an upsetting remark about his sister, who had died two months earlier, Ely magistrates were

FATHER-OF-FOUR Cornelius Smith pushed his partner and she hit her head on a metal bedpost, a court heard.

Smith lost his temper with Beverley Parker after she made an upsetting remark about his sister, who had died two months earlier, Ely magistrates were told.

The attack happened after a row erupted over his partner's drinking, which had been a problem over the last three years, the court heard.

Smith, of High Barns, Ely, admitted assault by beating at the family's home on April 5.

Mitigating, Adam Hazlehurst said: "My client accused his partner of drinking and she denied it. It escalated when things were said about his sister and this stirred up strong feelings within my client. He accepts he lost his temper and he pushed her.

"He moved out for a week after this incident but is now back at home with his partner. He hopes this might fix her mind on her drinking and address this problem. This was quite out of character for my client."

Magistrates adjourned the case until May 23 for a pre-sentence report. Smith was given unconditional bail.