A MAN who became abusive to his wife after suffering a head injury and taking amphetamine has pleaded guilty to attacking her.

Paul Miller admitted assaulting his wife of more than 30 years in February this year after being on a 'drugs bender', Teesside Crown Court heard.

The 50-year-old also pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage in their Hartlepool matrimonial home and to controlling and coercive behaviour between January 2011 and March this year.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said Miller grabbed his wife by throat until she passed out before she escaped to a friend's house when she regained consciousness following the February attack.

Miller, of no fixed abode, had been in custody since his arrest in February.

In mitigation, Christine Egerton, urged the judge to pass a suspended sentence as Miller had been on remand since February.

She added: "Mr Miller wished to emphasise to the court how very sorry he is and he asked if the court can pass that onto his wife."

Judge Deborah Sherwin gave Miller a three year community order as well as a two year restraining order and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She said: "As a result of the road traffic accident and your use of amphetamine has hed to a change in your personality."