THE owner of a Worcestershire pub has been bound over for six months after assaulting his wife.

Kenneth Bell, who owns The Crown, at Martley, near Worcester, had been drinking on the night he assaulted Teresa Bell, Worcester Magistrates heard yesterday.

Miss Jackie Rogers, prosecuting, explained to the court how the couple, who have a nine-year-old son together, had both been drinking in the pub, when Mr Bell, aged 43, started to behave in a violent manner because he thought his wife was "chatting up" someone else.

However, since the incident, on Friday, May 9, Mrs Bell had retracted her statement and did not wish to take any further action against her husband.

Mr Dale Shehan, defending, said the couple, who live at the pub, also ran it together and had to spend 24-hours a day together.

He said Mr Bell, who had no previous convictions, had taken a "long hard look" at the situation since the incident.

Mr David Hall, on the bench, told Mr Bell he was bound over for the amount of £300 for six months.

"If you break the order, you will be brought back to court and may have to pay all, or some, of the £300," said Mr Hall.