A MAN admitted assaulting his wife when he appeared in court yesterday.

Shaun Luke Shotton, 32, of Gonville Court, Darlington, pleaded guilty to the common assault of his wife of eight years, Jacqueline.

Magistrates at Newton Aycliffe heard that the couple argued on January 13 about going out for dinner or eating a takeaway.

During the row Shotton kicked his wife in the backside.

Gwen Burnett, mitigating, said Shotton accepted responsibility and apologised for the incident. Mrs Shotton, who supported her husband in court, had not wanted the case to go ahead.

Shotton was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £35.