Son aged 2 saw knife attack (From Barry And District News)

Son aged 2 saw knife attack

A 'COWARDLY' Barry husband who headbutted his wife as she cradled their baby son walked free from court on Tuesday.

Marcus Dwyer, aged 27, attacked wife Maria with such force their 10-month-old baby fell from her arms onto the floor.

Dwyer of Avocet Close admitted the attack to police, saying: "Only a scumbag does that."

Cardiff Crown Court heard how Dwyer, who had been drinking heavily, hit his wife after accusing her of seeing another man.

Prosecutor Owen Prys-Lewis said: "He went into the kitchen and took out a knife and put it against her throat and threatened her.

He was persuaded to put it away but then he headbutted her.

"Mrs Dwyer picked up her youngest child and went outside but Dwyer once again headbutted her - the force of which caused the baby to fall to the floor.

"He then dragged Mrs Dwyer by the hair back into the house and headbutted her for a third time.

"He was persuaded to desist only by his two-year-old son."

Mrs Dwyer suffered bruising and cuts during the attack outside their then home in Ely, Cardiff. The baby escaped unharmed.

Dwyer admitted causing actual bodily harm to his wife and battery on their son. Stephen Thomas, defending, said: "Thankfully the child suffered no injuries.

"Dwyer is full of remorse for the way he has behaved.

"He still has regular contact with Maria and the children but the couple are no longer together."

Judge Neil Bidder QC sentenced Dwyer to a two-year community rehabilitation order and ordered him to do 100 hours of community punishment.

He told him: "The assault on your wife was most unpleasant and cowardly - more so because she had a baby in her arms.

"The attack was rendered more serious because it was witnessed by your young son."