An ex-army paratrooper has narrowly avoided prison for assaulting his wife.

Skipton Magistrates heard on Friday that Michael Dunbar, 35, attacked Helen Dunbar, in Cowling, on Boxing Day, leaving her with a split lip and suspected broken tooth.

Mrs Dunbar’s teenage son had gone to help his mother and had also been assaulted, the court was told.

Dunbar was ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work and pay £100 compensation to his wife.

Mrs Dunbar and her son escaped by running outside the house in Gibb Street and being taken in by neighbours.

Dunbar, now of North Dean Road, Keighley, admitted two counts of common assault. In mitigation, John Kelly said Dunbar had been a physical education trainer in the army who had served in Bosnia.

“He thinks the tour of Bosnia might have had an effect on his thought processes,” said Mr Kelly.

He added that Dunbar’s drinking was also a factor.

Magistrates told Dunbar that with a history of domestic violence against his wife, he had come very close to being sent to prison.

Instead, they were giving him another chance. He was given an 18-month community order, including 18 months supervision, and ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work.

In addition to having to pay £100 compensation to Mrs Dunbar, he was also ordered to pay £85 costs.