AN AGRICULTURAL engineer charged with assault for throwing orange juice in his partner's face has been handed a conditional discharge.

Michael Haines appeared before magistrates in Hereford for sentencing in January after entering a guilty plea to one count of assault by beating at a previous hearing.

Haines and the victim had been in a relationship for 18 years at the time of the incident on April 22, prosecutor Eleanor Peart told the court.

The couple, who had returned to the UK from Ukraine in January last year, shortly before Russia invaded the country in February, had been arguing.

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Haines had become agitated and angry, Miss Peart said.

"He lunged at her and threw orange juice in her face," Miss Peart said.

Haines had admitted the offence in interview with police.

In a statement, the victim said she did not want Haines to be seriously punished and that she just wanted him to behave better.

Speaking on his own behalf, 56-year-old Haines said the row had started over a trip he had wanted to make to see a family member two hours away, telling the court that the victim had become "extremely concerned".

He said he believed that the incident was the culmination of many years of issues.

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"I am ashamed of what I did, and wish desperately that I had walked past the bedroom door, but I did not," Haines said.

Haines, who works in agricultural engineering, told the court that they had returned to the UK as his employer in Ukraine had not paid him for some months.

Haines, who is of The Village, Clyro, was handed a nine-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £135 and a £22 victim surcharge.