AN ALCOHOL-fuelled rage led a husband to punch both his wife and his dog, a court heard.

Shaun Patton, 43, sat impassively in the dock as Ashford magistrates heard how he repeatedly struck his wife and their pet following an argument at the couple's home at High Halden, near Tenterden, on January 12.

Donna East, prosecuting, said Janet Patton had returned home after shopping at B&Q in Ashford to be confronted by her husband who had been drinking.

Miss East said: "He accused her of meeting someone from work and of not shopping at all. He accused her of having sex with a young lad with whom she works. He said, 'I want you and your son out of the property by Sunday, because my brother Charles is coming from Ireland'."

Mrs Patton retreated to the lounge, where she was joined 10 minutes later by her husband who was eating some bread.

Miss East said: "He spat the chewed bread into his hand and shoved it under her nose, saying, 'What's that?'"

Patton went to kitchen and returned holding a bottle of vodka. "He pushed his wife in the chest," said Miss East.

"He grabbed her by the shirt and then charged her into the table. He put the bottle down and punched her in the face. The dog started barking and he tried to punch it.

"The defendant tried to pick up the bottle, but she took it from him saying, 'You're not having it.'

"He punched her in the chest area 10 to 15 times. The dog was barking very loudly. He pushed her with some force and pinned the dog to the floor and was punching it on the head, causing it to scream and yelp in pain."

Miss East continued: "Mrs Patton phoned the police. He grabbed her by the neck to stop her. He left the premises, still threatening her.

"Mrs Patton believed that he hit her to the chest area because of problems with her lungs - this was the area that would hurt her the most."

Steve Tarleton, defending, explained that Patton was ashamed of his actions and had entered an early guilty plea.

He said: "It indicates a realisation that he had done something wrong and that he needed to be punished for that."

Patton, of Cranham Court, Marden, received a community rehabilitation order for 18 months and was ordered to pay compensation to his wife of £250. He was also ordered to pay £43 costs.