A Sunderland man has been banned from contacting his wife after hurling a TV remote at her.
Ian Mackel, 62, threw the device at Sonia Mackel hitting her on the chest with such force she retaliated – by calling police.
A court heard his actions at their then home in Station Road, Penshaw, were also the final straw in the couple’s unhappy 41-year marriage.
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Maintenance engineer Mackel was arrested on December 11, and admitted striking her.
But the grandfather claimed he could not recall if the controller hit but accepted his spouse was speaking the truth when she claimed it had.
Prosecutor Clare Irving told magistrates in South Tyneside: “The defendant and Sonia Mackel have been married for some 41 years.
“It’s fair to say that she describes an unhappy marriage. This incident was in effect the final straw.
“The defendant came in from work and she turned the television on for something that the defendant wanted.
“He threw the remote control at her. It struck her, and she called the police.
“In a statement, she said, ‘I asked him if he’d be watching this all night, he threw the remote at me which hit me with force on the chest’.
“She said it was an incident which sickened her.”
Ms Irving added: “She says, ‘The 40 years of marriage were abusive and controlling.
‘It has left me deflated. I feel in fear of Ian as to if and when he may flip. I want this all to stop’.
“When the defendant was interviewed after being cautioned and arrested, he said that he did throw the remote.
“He said that if she said the remote hit her, then it must be true.
“The defendant is of hitherto previous good character. He has no previous convictions.
“Their relationship has ended, and Sonia has no intention of reconciling.”
Defence solicitor Paul McAlindon said: “Mr Mackel has entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.
“It’s the first time that he has been in a courtroom. This offence is now six months old.
“He was interviewed in January while unrepresented and made admissions to the police.
“He came home and was watching TV and the remote was on the arm of the chair.
“His wife was sitting opposite him, and he accepts that he has picked up the remote.
“He doesn’t know if it hit her but if she says it did, then he accepts it is true.
“There was no bruising or anything of that kind. It’s an offence of lesser harm.”
Mackel, of Hadleigh Court, Shiney Row, pleaded guilty to assault by beating.
Magistrates sentenced him to a 12-month community order, with a requirement of 15 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service.
He was ordered to pay his wife £50 compensation, and fined £123, with a £95 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.
He was also handed a 12-month restraining order not to pester Mrs Mackel or go to Gillwood Court, Penshaw.
