A husband slapped his wife in a domestic argument and later sent her 59 separate text messages on a single day, despite being banned from contacting her, a court heard.

Lorry driver Wayne Hudson, 36, pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife on May 10, when he appeared before Norwich magistrates yesterday. He also admitted being in breach of a bail condition not to contact her.

Prosecuting, Phil Charnley said the attack took place at the family home in Wymondham at about 5pm.

He said: 'The defendant came home from work and there was an argument. He felt that she was cheating on him. He struck her with an open hand on the side of her face. The defendant was arrested.

'In interview, he said that he was so angry that he lost his temper, though he knew it was wrong. He was given a bail condition not to contact his wife, but he sent her various text messages and was brought back to court, where he admitted that breach.

'And then on May 18, now living at Knevet Close, Attleborough, he sent her 59 text messages, though none of them were threatening.'

The court that Hudson had a previous conviction for assaulting the same complainant in 2002.

For Hudson, Ian Fisher said he had been with his wife for 11 years and married for seven, and they had two children.

He said: 'He accused his wife of infidelity and she denied that. In the course of the argument he slapped her, but immediately regretted his loss of control. Last week he saw his GP and was told he was suffering from mild depression, and he is now on medication. He is now living alternately with his father and sister.'

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports to June 14, and Hudson was granted conditional bail, not to contact his wife.

The Evening News Don't Suffer in Silence campaign highlights the problem of domestic violence. Last year more than 9,000 incidents of domestic abuse were reported to Norfolk police.

Do you have a story to tell after escaping an abusive partner? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.