A FORMER leading figure in a Kent town has been spared a jail sentence for a vicious attack on his dental surgeon mistress.

Richard Marchant, who served on the chamber of commerce and Venetian Fete committee in Hythe, was instead given a suspended sentence and ordered to complete 150 hours unpaid work.

The 59-year-old carpenter assaulted Elisabeth Williams as they were going to bed at her Hythe home after an evening out at a local restaurant.

Marchant’s wife sat in court as a judge told him: “It is a tragedy for you to be before this court today. You are a man of impeccable character.

“Character references speak of the impact of this offence on you and the effect on your wife.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard how Marchant and Mrs Williams, also known as Van der Lieg, had a long-running affair.

Mrs Williams, who is a dentist in Folkestone, told how she had an on-off relationship with Marchant dating back 20 years.

Frustrated that he would not leave his wife, she eventually told him she did not want to continue with the relationship. On September 2 last year he assaulted her during a row.

Marchant, now living near Heathfield, East Sussex, picked up a glass of wine and flung it in her face. He also threw water over her.

He became more enraged after she told him: “If you are so great, if you are so brilliant, shall we phone your wife and see what she thinks about you?”

Marchant pinned her down and punched her in the head. He also grabbed her by the throat and threatened to kill her.

He denied assault causing actual bodily harm, but was convicted by a jury.

Esther Schutzer-Weissmann, defending, said Marchant was a positive member of the community when he lived in Hythe, serving on various committees.

As well as connections with the chamber of commerce and Venetian Fete, he was involved in the creation of town strategies.

The lawyer said there had been a “sub-text” between Marchant and Mrs Williams of sexual jealousy.

The victim had no lasting physical damage, but was left with emotional scars.

Miss Schutzer-Weissmann said Marchant’s wife, a former teacher, supported him. She suffered from a virus, which put a strain on him.

“Prison would have an enormous impact on not only him, but his wife,” she said.