Wife attacked with 'baseball bat' (From Western Telegraph)

Wife attacked with 'baseball bat'

A Pennar man is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of twice assaulting his new wife.

Patrick James Farrelly, aged 56, was cleared of three other charges including an accusation that he placed an imitation gun to her head and pulled the trigger.

Farrelly was also found not guilty of possessing an imitation firearm and a third assault charge.

Swansea crown court heard Farrelly had known Margaret Anne Abbott, from Milford Haven, for more than 30 years. When their respective partners died, they got in touch again and married in June 2004.

The marriage soon ran into trouble because of Farrelly's possessiveness, said Philip Harris Jenkins, prosecuting.

Only a month after their wedding, Mrs Farrelly suggested they go out to a pub for a drink and 'the mere suggestion made him lose his temper'. Farrelly punched and kicked her and she needed treatment for bruising to her forehead and ribs.

In a later incident, during a row, he lost control and punched her in the face.

He knocked off her glasses and stamped on them. He then went to a shed and returned with a piece of wood, which looked like a baseball bat and hit her three or four times with it, said Mr Jenkins.

Mrs Farrelly left the house and contacted police a few days later.

They arrested Farrelly and found a Browning 8mm replica pistol.

Farrelly told police he had never assaulted his wife although there had been arguments.

Farrelly claimed she wanted her name on the deeds of his house and he refused.

Judge Keith Thomas ordered a report into Farrelly's background.

He said the assaults were serious and Farrelly should not expect a non-custodial sentence.

Farrelly was granted bail and will be sentenced next month.