A FULL-time carer who punched his disabled wife in the face after she put soap in his mouth will return to the family home now that she is receiving professional help.

Brian Lilliott snapped and lost his temper with 73-year-old Caroline on January 20, after 16 years of caring for her around the clock.

After being called lazy in a foul-mouthed outburst, Caroline took some soap and put it into her husband’s mouth, telling him to wash it out.

Yesterday, Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard that the pair constantly bicker, and more help should have been in place for Caroline years ago.

Mr Lilliott, 73, of Bath Road, admitted two counts of assault at the hearing and will now be allowed to return home after conditions banning him from contacting his wife were lifted.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, told the court: “Mr Lilliott is the full-time carer for his wife, who is disabled. She uses a walking frame and is confined to the downstairs area of the house.

“At around 7am on 20 January, police are called to the address, and Caroline answers with her walking frame. She has blood stains on her lips, said she was scared and wanted the police to protect her from her husband.

“The night before he had punched the bottom of her left leg when she asked him to move a stool she was using. Her left leg hurts when anything touches it following a stroke in 1998, and he hit it deliberately.

“That morning he had been verbally abusive towards her. She was using her right forearm to hold herself up on the sink. He lost his temper and punched her in the mouth. For the past 16 years he has been her full-time carer, and his only break was 21 days in 2010 when he had a triple heart bypass.

“They do not get on and are equally verbally abusive.”

Gordon Hotson, defending Lilliott, said: “They have been married since 1960 and in 1998 she had a stroke, the after-effects of which she still feels today.

“At that time Mr Lilliott gave up work and has been involved in her care 24/7, 365 since then.

“Gradually, over time, he has become more and more stressed and more exhausted. Her condition has deteriorated to the extent where she is totally dependent on him. The day in question was the last straw.

“Since then she has been cared for in part by their adult daughters, and there are other carers coming in four times a day.

“If that had been in place before, perhaps Mr Lilliott would not be in this position.

“Having been through this experience for the first time in his life he is determined not to come before you again.”

Lilliott was given a conditional discharge for 12 months, and made to pay £100 in fines and court costs.