An alcoholic domestic abuser who spat at his partner, kicked a coffee cup "flying past her head" and threatened to kill her has been spared jail.

William Gregory, 31, denied the assaults on his partner in her Ashford home at a previous hearing but was found guilty.

A sentencing hearing at Folkestone Magistrates' Court yesterday heard how the father-of-seven carried out the vicious attacks as their children watched.

Prosecuting, Julie Farbrace said: "On March 1 she was at the home address sitting on the sofa feeding her children.

"Mr Gregory is described as kicking the coffee cup as hard as he could, the coffee cup went flying past her head."

She recounted a separate incident the next day, where Gregory, of New Town Green, Ashford, threw the woman on the sofa before spitting on her.

"In an argument Mr Gregory went to pick up one of the children, grabbed her right wrist, threw her on the sofa and spat at her.

"In retaliation she spat back," she said.

A scuffle ensued where Gregory raised his fist and threatened to kill her, Ms Farbrace added.

The court heard how Gregory, also a recovering heroin addict, was found guilty of assaulting a previous girlfriend.

The latest attacks were down to withdrawal symptoms according to Nigel Riley, defending.

He said: "It is a reckless incident. He didn't strike a blow and it isn't suggested any injury was caused.

"His mood was affected as he was withdrawing from heroin."

The court heard how Mr Gregory last year decided to take the Class A drug "a couple of times a week" to help wean himself off an alcohol addiction.

Instead he became addicted to the drug.

Alcohol could be smelt on Gregory’s breath in court during the morning, added Carmen Lawrence, probation officer.

Sentencing, District Judge Baron said: "When I read the notes this has all the hallmarks of a domestic abuse relationship.

"I'm of the view that it does cross the custody thresh-hold but there were no injuries.

"If you come back again in the next year the likelihood is you will be going to prison."

Gregory was handed a 12-week suspended sentence for 12-months, concurrently with a six-month alcohol rehabilitation programme and £835 fine.