A FATHER-OF-NINE hurt his estranged wife during an argument, a court heard.

Robert Taylor admitted assaulting Carri Taylor by beating when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

Sharon Hall, prosecuting, said the couple argued on November 12 last year at Mrs Taylor’s Colchester home before he left to collect their children.

When he returned, she told him to stay outside, but he ignored her and the argument continued.

Mrs Taylor confronted him because she believed he had taken money belonging to their children, the court heard.

She said: “She tried to feel his trouser pockets and with that, the defendant pushed her into bunk beds with some considerable force, grabbed her arms and squeezed them.

“They went downstairs and he threw her to the floor.”

As a result, Mrs Taylor suffered bruising to her arms and lower back. The court heard Taylor, 37, of no fixed address, was battling drug and alcohol addictions, which had led to the breakdown of his 12-year marriage last year.

He was hoping to beat his problems and patch up his marriage.

The pair had maintained a relationship so he could help care for their large family, the court was told.

Magistrates gave Taylor a supervision order and a two-year community order, which includes attendance on an integrated domestic abuse programme.

He was also told to pay £100 compensation.