A MAN whose alcohol addiction meant he was drinking 16 cans of lager a day has been sentenced for assaulting his wife in an attack which left her ‘petrified’.

Nigel Hollingworth, aged 56, of Newton Road in Weston, appeared at North Somerset Courthouse on Friday where he was sentenced for assault after being found guilty at a trial held last November.

On August 22 last year Hollingworth’s then-partner, Francesca Hollingworth woke him up at around 10.30pm to give him some soup.

Prosecuting, Edward Counsell, said: “When this incident occurred he had a drink problem and he was at the time reported to be drinking about 16 cans of lager a day.

“He went downstairs and began to eat the soup but then for no reason became very angry.”

Mr Counsell detailed how he grabbed Ms Hollingworth by her hair and pushed her around the house and into walls and doors.

Ms Hollingworth’s victim statement said: “When the assault happened I was petrified, I called the police because it felt as though everything was escalating.

“Since it happened I have suffered from stress and anxiety.

“It made me feel shameful and embarrassed. I’m upset that a 30-year relationship has ended but I’m so relieved that it is over.”

Mitigating, Ian Denvy, said Hollingworth has begun an alcohol treatment programme, and said: “He says he’s at a very critical stage.

“He’s very, very focused. This is someone who is very much engaged in treatment. He has to be, there’s no option in this for his health. He’s taken a lot of this action with the help of his sister, but a lot of it off his own back.”

Hollingworth was sentenced for assault by beating and given an 18-month community order with an 18-month supervision requirement and a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement. He was also ordered to pay a £70 victim surcharge and £150 towards court costs.