A man who punched his pregnant wife after he got drunk at twelfth celebrations has been warned by Fermanagh Magistrate's Court that he must attend classes to help him deal with his domestic violence.

Appearing before the court was 27-year-old, John Hamilton, from Shilling Court, Fintona, who was charged with assaulting his wife. A prosecuting solicitor explained the background to the case. He said Hamilton, his wife and two young children had been at a twelfth parade in Enniskillen. Hamilton had been drinking, leaving his wife to look after the children all afternoon, the solicitor explained. He said Mrs Hamilton then asked if they could go home. While in the car Hamilton became abusive towards his wife and 'punched her on the head a number of times', before telling her to get out of the car.

Mrs Hamilton, who was six months pregnant at this stage, stopped the car and got out in order not to distress the children any further. She then went to a nearby house and told them she had been put out of the car and asked them to help her. When she was examined there was bruising found to her head. When questioned about the incident Hamilton admitted assaulting his wife.

A defence solicitor said there was no denying this is a serious offences with a number of aggravating factors, including that there were young children present in the car and the fact that Mrs Hamilton was six months pregnant.

However the solicitor said the defendant had admitted carrying out the offence.

The court heard Hamilton has recently started working as a butcher as part of a New Deal scheme. However he admitted the defendant 'does have a serious alcohol problem', but said Hamilton is taking steps to deal with his issues with alcohol and was also trying to deal with anger management issues.

However, the Resident Magistrate Liam McNally took issue with the fact Hamilton did not appear to be getting any help in dealing with domestic violence.

Mr McNally told Hamilton: "This is as bad a case of domestic violence as I have come across in a long time. And the likelihood is that he will do it again."

The Magistrate said it was always difficult dealing with these cases when the injured party, Mrs Hamilton, was in court supporting her husband. Mr McNally said he was going to defer sentence in this case for six months, and told him that during this time he expected Hamilton not to have committed any further offences and that he would have co-operated fully with the probation services who would help him address his alcohol problems, and engage him in a programme to deal with domestic violence.

"If you are successful I will impose a suspended sentence, if you fail you will be going to prison for five months."