A pensioner who hit his wife in the face multiple times has narrowly avoided jail.

John Rhee, who has been married to Nanette for 27 years, was arrested earlier this month after punching her in the face.

The 72-year-old was charged with assault and appeared before Maidstone Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

The court heard on April 12 the pair were sitting on the same bed while eating breakfast at their Otford home.

They were discussing a mutual friend and the use of mental health medication when Mr Rhee asked his wife whether she wanted to pray with him.

Mrs Rhee declined. The defendant became angry and accused her of "being against" mental health drugs and moving his tablets.

According to Mrs Rhee's victim statement, which was read out in court, her husband then "flipped out" and "went for her" punching her three times in the face before walking downstairs.

The victim was left with a bloody nose and immediately called the police.

When officers arrived at the property in Leonard Avenue the defendant told them: "I have just hit my wife I am going to be banged up. It's not right to hit women. I just want to die, I don't want to go on.

"Will you pray for my wife I could have killed her. Please lock me up."

"A number of things have happened to him to contribute to his mental health. He does require some sort of assistance how it is given is the issue" - Sasha Williams...

The court was told Mr Rhee was previously convicted of assault in 2009 after punching his wife when she refused to apologise for the quality of the meal she had served for dinner.

Defending, Sasha Williams, said there is a history of domestic violence in the relationship but that Mr Rhee suffers from a number of mental health issues including a dissocial personality disorder.

During the hearing at Maidstone Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, she said: "He needs to take medication but the mental health team have said there is not much they can do for him.

"The issues are more deep rooted, he has had quite a difficult life. A number of things have happened to him to contribute to his mental health. He does require some sort of assistance how the assistance is given is the issue."

Miss Williams said her client was extremely upset at the police station following the incident and was constantly asking after his wife.

She said the 72-year-old has also been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia.

Magistrates ordered Rhee, who pleaded guilty to assault, to carry out a community sentence with supervision and a rehabilitation activity requirement.

He will carry out 80 days of the sentence over a 12 month period and must also pay a £60 victim surcharge.