A 68-year-old man beat his wife in an “unprovoked” assault, a court heard.

Peter Campbell, of Grange Road, in Somersham, attacked his wife Joanne Campbell after the pair had been drinking together in the family home on October 11.

At the time of the incident, the couple were in the process of a divorce but still living together in the house where the incident occurred.

Anthea Harris, prosecuting at Huntingdon Magistrates Court said: “What happened was unprovoked - pushing her against the wall, smashing her head into the window and smacking her to the floor.”

The court heard how, during the attack, Campbell slapped his wife several times.

“He then threw her phone into the sink which was full of water – this prevented Mrs Campbell from calling the police,” added Mrs Harris.

Mrs Campbell managed to escape from her husband to her neighbours’ house where the police were called.

Defending, Samantha Marsh said: “Something on this occasion caused Mr Campbell to behave in such a way.”

Campbell pleaded guilty to the charges of assault by beating and criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 after damaging the phone owned by his wife.

Sentencing was adjourned until December 1 for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

The 68-year-old has been given bail on the condition that he doesn’t contact Mrs Campbell, who has since left the marital home.