THE family of a Cirencester man who headbutted his wife in a drunken rage are standing by him.

Martin Gallier, of Bowley Crescent, Siddington, admitted assaulting Samantha Gallier between July 1 and July 31 this year and on August 11.

The August 11 offence was committed while Gallier, 54, was on a suspended sentence for failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis.

On August 30, Cheltenham Magistrates' Court heard that Gallier headbutted Samantha while under the influence of alcohol.

The suspended sentence was not activated because it was regarded as "unjust to do so as the defendant was re-engaging with Turning Point, it was not a like offence and there was family support."

Gallier was given a 16-week jail sentence suspended for 24 months, a community order for 12 months with an alcohol treatment requirement, and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs.

There was no request for compensation and no application for a restraining order.