Sam Clinch attacked wife Emma at their home in Lamberhurst

cmcwethy@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 00:01, 05 May 2015

A woman feared for her life when her enraged husband attacked her in front of their two children as she was preparing breakfast, a court heard.

Sam Clinch threw a bin full of rubbish over wife Emma, kicked her and held a pillow over her mouth during the violent assault last month.

The 28-year-old, from Hop Garden Close in Lamberhurst, pleaded guilty to assault at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court.

Sam Clinch who pleaded guilty to harassing his ex-wife

Nicholas Markendale, prosecuting, said an argument had broken out over money because Clinch, who runs his own roofing company, had given his wages to his father.

The court heard the defendant swung a punch at his wife, who dodged him and fell on the floor in the foetal position.

“This must have been a very frightening episode, not only for Emma Clinch but also for the two children involved" - Brian Ferris, defending

Clinch then took their eldest child out of the room and explained that “mummy was winding him up” before returning to the kitchen, where he continued assaulting her.

The court was told he verbally abused his wife and threw the plastic bin at her, emptying rubbish and dirty nappies over the floor.

He pinned her down with the lid and kicked her before leaving the room.

The court heard that Mrs Clinch slipped and fell as she tried to get away, but when he returned he had a cushion which he held over her face.

In an interview with police she said she was struggling to breathe and she thought she was going to die.

She was also left with reddening to the skin.

When she got free she went to a neighbour’s house and called the police. When interviewed by officers, Clinch said that his wife’s nagging made him angry, but that he had not meant to kick her.

The pair were married for four years and have two young children, but the court heard their relationship was now over.