A man who punched his wife twice before three times breaking a court order banning him from contacting her has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Jason Pearce, 41, was convicted after a trial of two assaults on Jessica Pearce on 17 April and 3 May.

Magistrates heard that Pearce had punched his wife on both occasions, with the second assault in front of shocked witnesses.

Pearce had also accepted three charges of breaching a non-­molestation order not to contact Mrs Pearce, with the charges relating to phone calls he made to his wife on 30 and 31 July and 1 August.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said on 17 April the couple had an argument that led to Pearce punching his wife in the face.

A second assault on 3 May saw Pearce, of Castell Wyre, Llanrhystud, bring friends into the home before an argument with Mrs Pearce led to him punching her in the face once again.

Mrs Pearce told police that her husband was an alcoholic who became aggressive when he was drinking, but Pearce denied any assaults had taken place.

Ms Tench said despite the non-molestation order being imposed in court, Pearce had made calls to his wife, initially asking for her to take him back.

He then became aggressive and threatening and accused her of reporting him to the police, the court heard.

A probation service recommendation that Pearce be made subject to an alcohol treatment order was supported by defence solicitor Alison Mathias, who said that Pearce accepted the relationship was now over.

District judge Gwyn James said the breaches of the order were a “deliberate and wilful disregard” of the court orders.

Combined with the assaults on Mrs Pearce he said this meant that a suspended sentence should be imposed.

Pearce was given a total 36-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He will also have to complete 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days, as well as undergo a nine-month alcohol treatment order.

A restraining order was imposed for five years and Pearce was ordered to pay costs of £735.