AN alcoholic who brutally assaulted his wife on two occasions was given a four month suspended jail sentence this week. And before Ely magistrates sentenced 38-year-old Robin Deo they heard from his forgiving wife Gita in a letter. I want the court to kn

AN alcoholic who brutally assaulted his wife on two occasions was given a four month suspended jail sentence this week.

And before Ely magistrates sentenced 38-year-old Robin Deo they heard from his forgiving wife Gita in a letter.

"I want the court to know that he is a nice person," she wrote. "It is drink that is his only problem. I do not want him to go to prison; he needs help with his drink problem, and anger management.

"His drinking is like a disease," she added. "I am not prepared to give up on him. I intend to stay loyal and faithful."

Deo, of Beresford Road, Ely, had admitted assaulting his wife on July 1; and assaulting his wife and his friend Andrew Simpkins on September 1.

Prosecuting, Laura Mardell told how Deo had slapped his wife on the head on July 1, and grabbed her stomach, digging his nails in. Deo had drunk eight cans of a lager and a bottle of wine, and called his weeping wife "a stupid drama queen." In the early hours he slapped his wife, and then grabbed her arms, pushing and pulling her down stairs, leaving her with bruises and a sore head.

On September 1, Deo returned home with his friend Andrew Simpkins, and shouted and screamed at his wife.

As Mr Simpkins tried to intervene, he was punched by Deo, and Deo grabbed his wife around the throat. Mr Simpkins then sat in a car outside, and was punched and kicked by Deo, said Miss Mardell.

When Gita Deo refused to go back indoors, he dragged her back into the house, and threw her on the sofa.

Solicitor James Yardy said Deo was highly motivated to undertake an alcohol treatment programme, and a domestic abuse programme.

Deo will undertake both courses during two years of supervision with the probation service. He was ordered to pay £250 costs.

Presiding magistrate Mary Rone told Deo: "You are one of the luckiest men I know, you have a wife that loves you and parents that love you, and they want you to get better.