A MAN who kicked his WPC wife until he broke two of her ribs has been jailed for six months.

Droitwich magistrates heard how Philip Payne Jones kicked and punched wife Laura in a field behind the Farmer's Arms in Kempsey, where the couple kept horses.

Edward Soulsby, prosecuting, told magistrates how the West Mercia WPC and her husband had enjoyed "a relaxing afternoon" in August, 2000.

But Payne Jones became "emotional" which had led to the unprovoked attack.

"Everything happened very quickly. After she was grabbed by the defendant he hit and kicked her while she was on the ground," said Mr Soulsby. "She was frightened and screaming and felt extreme pain."

The former Royal Marine, whose address is now Abbots Crescent, Kempton, Bedfordshire, was found guilty in his absence of common assault against his wife on Thursday, May 16.

The 43-year-old also admitted driving the couple's Ford Explorer car while disqualified on Friday, May 4, and Saturday, May 5, and being in charge of a vehicle with excessive alcohol on the Saturday.

Judith Kenney, defending, said her client was the victim of a nervous breakdown. He had found it difficult to accept he could no longer ride horses due to disabilities he claimed were caused by an unprovoked attack by police officers from another area.

"My client's wife has been at pains to point out the marriage was not an unhappy relationship," she said.

"Mr Payne Jones could not ride because of his disabilities, which was a real problem as he loves horses.

"It is clear at the time of the offences he was not well. I have been told by doctors he was suicidal."

Magistrates ordered Payne Jones to serve a total of six months for the offences, gave him 18 points on his licence and banned him from driving for a year.