AN elderly Baildon man has been handed a suspended jail sentence after hurling a heavy plant pot towards his wife of 51 years, leaving her with multiple facial fractures which required surgery.

John Wray, 70, of Borrins Way, appeared at Bradford Crown Court to face a charge of GBH.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sharpe told Bradford Crown Court it was a “very sad case” which unfolded on September 7 last year following an argument.

Mr Sharpe said Wray and his wife Shirley had lived “harmoniously” together for 51 years of marriage.

But the court heard Wray was a heavy drinker and had been drinking at home on the day of the offence.

Mr Smith said the pair were talking and Wray “snapped” when reminded of a “supposed affair” on his wife’s part many years before.

He picked up a large and heavy imitation plant and hurled it at, or in the general direction, of Mrs Wray.

It hit her, causing her serious injury.

The court heard he seemed upset and left his wife to her own devices.

Mrs Wray then called their son who came over and called the emergency services.

At this point, Wray was still angry and was shouting obscenities about his wife.

An ambulance was called and Mrs Wray was taken to the Leeds General Infirmary, where she was found to have multiple facial fractures.

She spent ten days in hospital, has undergone one operation and another one is planned.

Wray, who has no previous convictions, was arrested shortly after the incident and when interviewed made a “full and frank” admission.

Mr Smith said this was not an incident only set against a background of good character, but of generally harmonious relations over 50 years.

In mitigation, Rodney Ferm described the incident as “reckless”, but said the object Wray picked up was the nearest and was not intended to be a weapon to cause injury.

He said: “Everything else we know about this man is entirely positive”.

Mr Ferm said if his client was to be immediately imprisoned, it would be a punishment on his wife too.

He said she is able to look at the bigger picture, look back on their many years of happiness together and wishes that to continue without interruption.

The court heard Wray has stopped drinking alcohol and has taken what happened that night “dearly to heart”.

Sentencing, Judge David Hatton QC told Wray he did not doubt how deeply he cares for his wife - and she him.

But he said he had caused her “very serious” injuries

“You will have to live with that for the rest of your life,” he said.

“I have not the slightest doubt that you are deeply remorseful.”

He was handed a 16 month sentence, suspended for two years, with a reduction to reflect his immediate admission of guilt and immediate guilty plea.

Wray will also be required to carry out 15 days of rehabilitation activity.