A LORRY driver who had been drinking assaulted his arthritic wife after he lost his job, magistrates have heard.

David Gregg, whose wife Maureen also suffers from vertigo, admitted two charges of common assault.

Mark Soper, prosecuting, said the incident took place on Friday, June 20, when Mrs Gregg found her husband drinking beer at their Worcester home.

"She challenged him about it," said Mr Soper. "She said he was taking things out on her because there was no-one else to take it out on."

The prosecutor told the court that Mrs Gregg then took the beer away.

"It ended with him pushing her, causing her to fall to the floor," said Mr Soper.

Mr Soper said the 52-year-old defendant went out to drink more beer and when he returned the argument resumed.

At Friday's hearing Mr Soper added that Mrs Gregg was "pulled around the room" by her husband, causing her to hit herself on the dining room table.

David Jackson, defending said the couple, who had three children, had been married for 34 years without any problems.

He said that on the morning of the incident Gregg had lost his HGV driver's job of 25 years and was feeling low.

"He said at his age he was going to find employment difficult," said Mr Jackson.

Mr Jackson added that Gregg was the main carer for his wife and had been a good husband.

Gregg of Liverpool Road, Newtown, was granted conditional discharge for a year and ordered to pay £55 prosecution costs.