ESTRANGED husband David Bishop, savagely attacked wife Susanne Glachan in a drunken rage when she refused to take him back, a court heard.

North West Wiltshire magistrates heard how, after a drunken binge, Bishop, of Longfellow Crescent, Wootton Bassett, slapped his wife in the face and repeatedly banged her head on the floor when she refused to get back together with him.

Bishop, 35, a factory worker, pleaded guilty to common assault by beating his wife.

Amanda Sawetz, prosecuting, told the court Bishop went to see his estranged wife at her house in Wootton Bassett to talk about their relationship. They began to argue and when she refused Bishop's offer of a reconciliation he slapped her around the face and told her he should kill her.

Ms Sawetz said Bishop grabbed Ms Glachan and dragged her into the kitchen where he pounded her head on the floor. She escaped but Bishop caught her again, kicked her in the leg and again banged her head on the floor.

She struggled free again and ran out of the house. she had a black eye and a swollen and bruised cheek.

Defending Michael Jeary said: "Bishop drank six pints of lager before he went to talk to his wife. They had a discussion in which his wife told him she didn't want to get back together and it was then Bishop fell apart.

"When he returned home he realised he'd done wrong. He went back to the house to apologise and was arrested."

Jeary said Bishop's wife frequently pulled on his emotional strings, which he fell for every time.

Chairman of the magistrates, Sue Griffin, said: "Nevertheless this was a sustained and vicious attack."

Bishop was released on bail to await reports. He is due to be sentenced onJuly 22.