A HUSBAND'S Boxing Day turned violent when he went to visit his wife - only to find her dressed for bed with her new boyfriend in the house.

Droitwich magistrates heard how Garry Thomasson ended up striking Leslie Davies after the two men unexpectedly came face-to-face.

Kiernan Cunningham, prosecuting, said trouble began after Thomasson, who admitted two counts of assault, walked in to see his love rival and his wife in just her nightie.

"Mr Thomasson was surprised and said 'what's he doing here?'," said Mr Cunningham.

He said the two men then fought, leaving Davies with injuries including a bloody chin and a black eye.

Mr Cunningham added that the following day, 45-year-old Thomasson went to Mr Davies' workplace and once again there was a fight.

"Mr Thomasson turned up and said he wanted a word, and Mr Davies got out of his chair and before he had the chance to say anything he was attacked again. He was punched and Davies tried to push him off."

Mr Cunningham said following the attacks, Davies had two black eyes, a gash to the chin, bruised cheek and reddened nose.

David Taylor, defending, said Thomasson, of Portefields Road, Tolladine, had been married for 23 years and was hoping for a reconciliation after the couple split up in October.

"In many similar cases people would try to justify their actions as self-defence," he said.

"He is a straightforward man and accepts he overstepped the mark of what is reasonable."

Mr Taylor said it had been a normal family Christmas and Thomasson was visiting his wife on Boxing Day evening, expecting a family occasion.

"Eventually the door was opened and his wife was wearing night attire and on the sofa was the man she was having a relationship with. My client asked him to leave and he went to swing at Mr Thomasson."

He said the following day his client had wanted a discussion about the relationship, but feared he was going to be struck by Davies, so lashed out in response.

"These are isolated incidents which will not be repeated," he insisted.

Magistrates fined Thomasson £210, ordered him to pay £150 compensation and £55 court costs.