A BUSINESSMAN and former chairman of the Maidstone Round Table attacked his wife after he discovered she had been unfaithful, a court heard.

Christopher Harvey, 51, assaulted his clairvoyant wife Yvette after she asked him to turn the television down while she was doing a psychic reading.

Jonathan Simpson, defending, told Maidstone magistrates that at the time of the attack Harvey had only just discovered the truth about his wife's infidelity.

"He was downstairs having to come to terms with this," he said. "It came as a real shock that after giving her so much, not just financially but love too, that she should find herself a new lover."

He told the court that the problems began on Tuesday November 4 when Mrs Harvey was doing a group reading for some clients.

Harvey, of Bodiam Court, Hart Street, Maidstone, was downstairs in the living room watching the television and lamenting on his marriage.

After Mrs Harvey asked her husband to turn the television down, a row erupted, Mr Simpson said. "And in the heat of the arguing, there was a strike to her head and he grabbed her. He was very angry," he added.

Claire Moulsher, prosecuting, said that during the row, a clump of hair about the size of two pound coins was ripped from Mrs Harvey's head.

One of her false fingernails was also ripped off, although Harvey himself suffered a number of severe bruises.

During the altercation Mrs Harvey's 19-year-old daughter, Jemma Williamson, also became involved and was struck on the head by Harvey, Ms Moulsher said.

He then snapped her £269 mobile phone in half as she tried to call the police. Harvey was arrested when officers attended the address after the fight.

He pleaded guilty to two offences of assault, and one of criminal damage.

Mr Simpson said that after the attacks, Harvey had shown great remorse and both parties were now seeking a divorce. A custodial sentence would be unfortunate, he added, as Harvey successfully runs two property businesses.

He has also been a former chairman of the town's round table which raises money for charities through social events.

"Mr Harvey has expressed regret for his aggressive behaviour," Mr Simpson said, "it was an isolated incident and entirely out of character.

"He has quite a high-profile in the local business community and these incidents have tarnished that good reputation. The appearance in this court itself has been a salutary lesson."

Harvey was given a 120-hour community punishment order for the assault on his wife, and a 60-hour community punishment order for the assault on his step-daughter, to run concurrently.

He was also ordered to pay £269.99 to replace the broken mobile phone and £100 in compensation to Mrs Harvey and £60 in compensation to Ms Williamson, as well as £55 costs.