An offshore worker kneeled on his wife and throttled her, a court has heard.
Steven Taylor, 32, of Herds Crescent, Johnshaven, appeared at Arbroath Sheriff Court on Tuesday after the incident on February 17.
He admitted assaulting Laura Taylor at their home on Dalhousie Terrace, Montrose, by pushing her on the body causing her to fall to the floor, kneeling on her body, seizing her by the neck and compressing her throat and restricting her breathing, all to her injury.
The court heard the couple had been in a relationship for seven years and married for four at the time of the attack.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said Taylor had called his wife to inform her he was coming home at about 10.30pm.
She added: “He arrived home after a drinking binge he had been on all day. She let him in and returned to the bedroom.”
Mrs Taylor then challenged her husband about messages on Facebook regarding another woman. A disagreement ensued and Taylor grabbed her by the throat.
Ms Drummond said: “The accused pushed the complainer on the upper body beside the kitchen door, causing her to fall to the floor.
“She remained on the floor on her side then eventually managed to get to her feet. She stated she was not scared of him.”
Taylor grabbed his wife by the shoulder and spun her round to grab her by the lower jaw. He then knelt on her chest and grabbed her by the throat.
Ms Drummond said Mrs Taylor “believed that this was it”.
A silent 999 call was made from the house and police attended, although the incident did not come to light until Mrs Taylor reported it the following day.
Defence agent Nick Markowski said: “I don’t think he was expecting a warm welcome when he got home. He would apologise for his behaviour on that day.”
Sheriff Peter Paterson imposed a community payback order of 80 hours, to be completed within one year.
Taylor was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to his wife.