Philip Arnold twice grabbed his wife around the throat after she refused to let him give her a hug.

On the first occasion Catherine Arnold suffered marks to her neck which she photographed on her mobile camera phone.

And when she showed her husband the pictures the next day he showed no remorse, said prosecutor Joanne Crisp at Manchester Magistrates Court.

Arnold, 50, of Hertford Road, Blackley, admitted two charges of common assault on his wife and was given an 18 month community order to undergo alcohol abuse treatment.

District Judge Paul Richardson imposed a two year restraining order prohibiting Arnold from contacting his wife.

“These were not trivial assaults and you must get control of your drinking or the downward spiral will continue,” warned the judge.

The attacks took place over three days, during which Arnold had trapped his wife’s finger in a door, said Mrs Crisp.

John Wolfson, defending, said Arnold became an alcoholic while in the Army and active service had led to post-traumatic stress.

“He is full of remorse and hasn’t given up hope of a reconciliation with his wife,” said Mr Wolfson.