A PUB landlord has agreed to be bound over to keep the peace for the next six months after admitting to a confrontation with his former partner.

Stephen Gurling, 39, licensee of the Dog and Gun at Netheravon, near Pewsey, had originally pleaded not guilty to common assault on his former partner, Laura Davies, on July 31 this year.

But after Ms Davies withdrew her complaint, the charge was reduced to a breach of the peace.

Gurling admitted this when he appeared before Kennet magistrates in Devizes last Thursday.

Simon Brenchley, prosecuting, told the court that the couple had a nine-month-old child, Holly and that their agreement for Gurling to have access to her had broken down.

But when Ms Davies fell ill she asked Gurling to look after the child. An argument ensued which resulted in Gurling saying that he was coming to see Ms Davies at her mother's home in Court Farm Road.

Not wanting him to visit the house, Ms Davies went out to meet him.

The prosecution alleged that during his meeting with Ms Davies, and in front of witnesses, Gurling took hold of Ms Davies by the neck and squeezed her throat, pushing her up against a wall and punching her in the face.

But Gurling's solicitor, Paul Jones, told the court that his client denied he ever touched Ms Davies.

However, he did admit to taking part in a noisy and unsavoury confrontation in public.

Gurling was bound over in the sum of £100 for six months. The Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence on the charge of common assault and magistrates withdrew it.