A HONDA worker said he was ashamed of himself when he appeared before Swindon magistrates charged with three counts of assault on his wife and son.

Rajinder Singh, 49, of Shrivenham Road, faced three counts of assault by beating following an argument over a television set at the family home on December 30 last year, the court heard on Friday.

Singh previously entered a guilty plea at a hearing on January 20 and a pre-sentence report was produced for magistrates who were told that his wife and son withdrew support to the Crown Prosecution Service before the hearing.

Prosecuting, Keith Ballinger said: “One of the complainants was discussing moving a television that they thought was put on a wall too high.

“The defendant was upstairs and was recovering after recently having an operation. While they were discussing it, he came downstairs and went outside to the shed, coming back into the house with a tool box and spirit level.

“He then asked his son why he was discussing the matter with his wife when it would be him who would have to move it.

“He had a spirit level in his hand at the time and his wife said he went towards their son and so she intervened but as she did, she was struck on the left arm which caused some bruising.”

Their son also sustained minor injuries in the altercation resulting in him leaving the house.

Upon leaving, Singh’s wife, Surinder Kaur, made her way upstairs where a further assault was carried out when he struck her a number of times to the arms, chest and shoulder.

Singh, who had been off work from Honda for two months due to health problems, represented himself at the hearing and told magistrates he was ashamed of his actions.

“I was feeling a bit down having been off work for two months," he said.

"I heard my wife and son discussing where the TV should be moved to and I came downstairs and I was a bit annoyed so I went and got my tool box out and brought the stuff in.

“Words were said and things got out of hand. It never should have happened and I am not proud of what I have done and I am ashamed to be standing in front of you.”

Singh was handed a 12-month community order and must complete 15 days at a rehabilitation activity requirement day.

He was also ordered to complete 60 hours of unpaid work in addition to paying £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge.