TWO United States marines went to the aid of a woman who was being attacked by her husband on a bus, a court heard.

The marines were among passengers on the bus in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, who took exception to Peter Plumpton's behaviour.

They and another man pinned him down until police arrived, said Michael Hammond, prosecuting at the town's magistrates' court.

But Plumpton, 40, refused to calm down and head-butted marine Cristopher Gosnell.

Yesterday, Plumpton, of Poplar Grove, Bilton, Harrogate, pleaded guilty to assault and using threatening behaviour. Sentencing was adjourned until July 1.

Mr Hammond said Plumpton had slapped his wife on the head three times and then hit her with his fist, before pulling her into the aisle and repeatedly pressing the stop button in order to drag her off the bus.

The marines and another passenger went to Mrs Plumpton's aid, with Mr Gosnell telling her husband: "You don't hit a woman."

Clive Farndon, for Plumpton, said his client could remember nothing of the incident.