A MAN who attacked his wife of 42 years with a knife sharpener was told by a judge to keep a photograph of his bruised partner in his wallet to remind himself “what he’s capable of”.

Dennis King, 62, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court yesterday having earlier admitted one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

King, of Andersey Way, Abingdon, drunkenly attacked wife Wendy on June 13 after she admitted running up credit card debts of £10,000.

King, an engineer at the Cowley Mini plant, has a previous ABH conviction from 2005 when he broke his wife’s cheekbone.

Andrew Pote, prosecuting, said King had drunk half a bottle of whiskey when he punched his wife in the face, kicked her in the back and “hit her several times with a steel knife sharpener”.

She suffered cuts and bruises.

Nick Cotter, defending, said the couple had since reconciled and Mrs King had moved back to the family home last week.

He said his client, who had been in hospital for nine days having taken an overdose following his arrest, had promised not to drink or be violent again.

Giving him a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, Judge Julian Hall said: “I’ve no sympathy with people who beat up their wives.

“It wouldn’t be a bad idea if you kept one of these photographs in your wallet to remind you what you’re capable of – it’s a disgrace.

“If I send you to prison you will lose your job, you might lose your house and it’s her house as well — it’s a complete nightmare.”

King was also ordered to pay £425 costs and complete 18 months’ supervision.