A MAN who admitted beating his wife was given a conditional discharge by magistrates at Kendal.

Andrew George Jackson, 29, admitted causing actual bodily harm to Sheena Jackson at her home in Oxenholme on December 18.

The court heard that the couple had been separated for some time.

Jackson, who gave the court an address on Buttery Well Lane in Kendal, visited his wife's home at around 10pm.

While a mutual friend was present there was no trouble.

Roger Newsome, prosecuting, said that Jackson and his wife quarrelled once they were left alone and told the court how Jackson attacked his estranged wife while she sat on the settee.

Mrs Jackson told police that she had tried to get to the telephone, but Jackson kicked the socket off the wall with such force he destroyed it.

During the attack, Mrs Jackson was punched in the head several times and suffered bruising to a finger and her left thigh before she was able to push past her assailant and run to a neighbours house for help.

Jackson then drove off in his girlfriend's car.

South Lakeland magistrates gave Jackson a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £100 compensation and £69 costs.