AN ANGRY businessman who attacked his wife after their wedding anniversary celebrations has been warned he could be jailed.

Albert Lucas, 53, had grabbed victim Karen Lucas by the throat and was said to have repeatedly punched her because he believed she was having an affair and she had deleted an email.

She was left with multiple injuries, including a broken finger, Burnley Magistrates heard.

Lucas, of Chatburn Park, Brierfield, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm. He was bailed until September 19 for a pre-sentence report and the bench told him custody could not be ruled out.

He had no previous convictions. Lucas was ordered to live at the given address and was banned from entering Colne, where the assault took place.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, told the court the offence happened in the couple's bedroom and Mrs Lucas was screaming for her husband to get off her.

The couple's son came into the bedroom and took the victim into another room, where she telephoned her mother and the police.

Mr Maude said police arrived and Mrs Lucas was shaking and looked scared. The defendant was arrested and made no reply. Lucas said he had found his wife using the computer and had pushed her down and held her by the throat. He told officers he was extremely angry. Lucas denied punching his wife intentionally.

The prosecutor said Mrs Lucas' injuries were very serious and painful but not permanent and whatever the defendant thought his wife was doing, it did not justify such violence.

David Lawson, defending, said the defendant and his wife had been out celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary.

They got home and Lucas was going to organise them some drinks. Mrs Lucas went upstairs and seemed to be taking a long time. The defendant had thought for months she was having an affair with a work colleague and she started to delete whatever it was she was doing.