MAGISTRATES slapped a restraining order on Paul Day after he admitted assaulting his wife during a New Year s Day row over money. Day has been ordered to keep away from Michelle Day s home in Ely – and he must attend a domestic abuse course. At the city c

MAGISTRATES slapped a restraining order on Paul Day after he admitted assaulting his wife during a New Year's Day row over money.

Day has been ordered to keep away from Michelle Day's home in Ely - and he must attend a domestic abuse course.

At the city courthouse, 47-yearold Day admitted assaulting his wife Michelle by pushing her over the back of a sofa, pinning her down, and punching the back of her head.

"She was left with a bump on the back of her head the size of an egg," said prosecutor Laura Mardell.

"The incident left her upset and shaken, she says the marriage is over and she does not want him to return to the house under any circumstances."

The row began on New Year's Eve, because the couple had an overdue bill, added Miss Mardell.

The argument continued the following day; Day suggested they should attend marriage counselling, and Mrs Day said she wanted him to leave.

Day went off in his car, but returned because he had not been paid, and had no money.

"He grabbed her and pushed her over the back of the sofa and pinned her down, face down," said Miss Mardell. "He punched her to the back of the head, and she screamed.

Solicitor Veronica Candy said Mrs Day had been "in a particularly bad mood" at the time.

"He tried to find out what the problem was, when she suddenly said she wanted him to leave and the marriage was over.

"He desperately does not want this marriage to end. He accepts full responsibility for what happened, he knows he was wrong."

Handing Day a 24-month community order with supervision, and ordering him to pay �85 costs, presiding magistrate Sue Griffin said: "It all sounds very unpleasant, it must have been frightening for her.