A father-of-three was jailed for punching his wife in the face during a drunken rage.

David Reeves, 46, who admitted a charge of actual bodily harm at an earlier hearing, was jailed for four months at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Andrew Perry, prosecuting, told the court Reeves flew into a rage at the Braintree home he shared with wife Elizabeth after hearing she wanted to go and play bingo.

Mr Perry said: "Reeves said no, she couldn't go and Mrs Reeves said she was going anyway. The last thing Mrs Reeves remembers was Reeves shouting and coming at her with his hands up.

Reading part of Mrs Reeves' statement to the court, Mr Perry said: "Mrs Reeves later said 'My mind then goes blank, I woke up and my head was bleeding'."

Mr Perry added: "In interview Reeves admitted he had punched her three or four times but had no more recollection about the matter."

Mrs Reeves suffered cuts and bruises on her face and the court was shown photographs of her injuries.

Thomas Brown, mitigating, said: "Reeves feels disgusted by his behaviour and you may have heard him mutter 'I'm so sorry' when shown the photos."

Mr Brown added: "He had been drinking and unfortunately he was wearing two rings at the time of the incident, a wedding ring and a ring from his children with the word 'Dad' inscribed on it."

He added: "Reeves said in interview, 'Like a fool I lashed out, if she's said it, I've done it.'"

Mr Brown said Reeves was now living with his sister in of Oakley Avenue, Westcliff on Sea, and was being divorced by his wife.

Ray Davies, chairman of the bench, said: "As this assault is so serious we have no other option than to send you to prison."

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