MAN IN COURT AFTER ASSAULTING WIFE OVER TV LICENCE
A man assaulted his wife in a row over an unpaid TV licence bill.Peter Sibbick, 31, appeared before Kirklees magistrates today.
He pleaded guilty to assaulting Sarah Sibbick at their family home in Honley.
Magistrates were told that the couple were married in December 2012.
Mrs Sibbick described the relationship as going well until she fell pregnant with their daughter.
Prosecutor James Weekes said that his behaviour became more controlling and he stopped his wife from seeing her friends and family.
On January 22 the couple and the two youngest children were at home in Roundway.
Mr Weekes said: “A letter came from the TV Licensing department, reminding Mr Sibbick that he was late for a payment.
“He started being angry, he was shouting in her face telling her to sort it out.” The prosecutor said that Mrs Sibbick tried to explain to him that as it was his TV licence he would have to call the authority himself.
Mr Weekes said: “Mr Sibbick grabbed her by the wrists, squeezing and causing her to drop the phone.
“She went to pick it up and he pushed her, causing her to fall on the sofa.” Magistrates heard that Sibbick unplugged the landline and pulled his wife’s coat away but she left the house.
A while later when the couple were at home Mrs Sibbick was breastfeeding her youngest child.
Mr Sibbick shouted at her that the child should be on a bottle and she called police.
He was arrested and said that she had told him that the licence had been paid in full.
Magistrates ordered a full report on Sibbick before his sentencing on March 27.
In the meantime his is banned from contacting Mrs Sibbick or going to the family home.
