A 52-year-old chef from Skipton is facing a possible community order after admitting assaulting by beating his wife.

Kevin Knight admitted the assault of Wendy Knight on November 21 when he appeared at Skipton Magistrates Court in December.

However he denied an additional charge of threats to kill and was due to stand trial on Monday, but the charge was dismissed when Mrs Knight failed to turn up at court to give evidence.

Knight, of Branch Road, admitted the assault on a basis in that he accepted grabbing his wife around the neck after he had drunk two bottles of red wine and following a row.

The court heard in mitigation that Knight was a man of previous good character, that it had been an impulsive and not pre-meditated attack, was an isolated incident and that the couple were attempting a reconciliation.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing for a report to February 7 and granted Knight bail on condition he did not go within 50 yards of where his wife was living.