A SCHOOL teacher who inflicted more than 20 years of violence on his wife was told by a crown court judge that he was "a cowardly man".

The teacher punched his wife in the face, pushed her down the stairs and assaulted her because she locked the house door at night, between 1980 and 2003.

Denis Stockton, 62, also wrote threatening notes in his wife’s diary indicating that he would be violent towards her.

Stockton, of Saville Row, Bromley, escaped a jail term. He was sentenced to 100 hours’ community punishment and ordered to pay £750 costs at Croydon Crown Court after pleading guilty to four counts of causing actual bodily harm and one count of putting his wife in fear of violence.

The judge said that Stockton was a “violent and cowardly man”.

Det Con Sam Tatton, of Bromley police, said: “I hope that this case sends a positive message to anyone who may be a victim of domestic violence.

“The Metropolitan Police Service will not tolerate it and is dedicated to providing a sensitive service to victims and to bringing to justice those who commit these crimes.

“I hope this case will give victims the confidence to come forward and report these crimes.

“Despite the historic nature of this case, we took the victim seriously and thoroughly investigated the allegations she made.”

* Anyone who is suffering from or suspects domestic violence in the Bromley area should call police on 020 8284 8760 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.