A COUNCILLOR was convicted of beating up his Ukrainian-born wife after smearing her face with curry during a drink-fuelled argument.

Hartlepool borough councillor Trevor Rogan grabbed his wife by the throat, hit her, twisted her arm and pulled her hair during the attack in the early hours of October 22 last year.

Rogan last night vowed to appeal against his conviction after magistrates refused to believe his version of events.

His wife, Irina, 33, said she was left frightened by the attack, and may leave the town to start a new life.

Rogan, 53, of John Howe Gardens, Hartlepool, pleaded not guilty to common assault, claiming he had restrained his wife after she began attacking him.

But justices at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court said they found Mrs Rogan a credible witness and that Rogan used excessive force.

The court heard how the couple met over the internet in 2003.

They married in Ukraine in June 2003 after a six-month romance and lived in Hartlepool. In April 2004, Mrs Rogan gave birth to the couple's daughter.

Under questioning, Mrs Rogan broke down in tears when she relived the attack.

She said Rogan left the family home at 10pm on October 21 to visit his children from a previous relationship.

He returned at 2am after socialising in the town with fellow councillors, and began eating a takeaway in the kitchen.

Mrs Rogan said: "I asked him where he had been and he did not answer. He just sneered at me, so I threw the food in his face. He was very drunk. I know I was wrong in doing that, but at that particular time, I just could not control myself."

Mrs Rogan said her husband threw the curry back in her face and began to assault her.

But Rogan said: "She came at me, attacking me. She threw punches and I managed to get her and restrain her to the floor."

Robin Denny, defending, said there was no evidence of injuries consistent with such an attack.

Speaking outside the court, Rogan, who is due to be sentenced on June 20, said he had not resigned as a councillor.

He said: "I am innocent and will be appealing the case at crown court at the earliest opportunity."

Mrs Rogan said: "I am frightened to stay in Hartlepool. It has all been really strange for me."

A spokesman for the borough council said the authority would not be commenting at this stage because sentence had not yet been passed