Guilty plea for Rann attack

After years of suspecting his wife had a sexual affair with South Australia's premier, Richard Phillips says he "lost it" at a chance encounter with Mike Rann.

Phillips, the estranged husband of Michelle Chantelois, struck the premier in the face up to four times with a rolled up magazine at a corporate function last October.

Phillips yesterday pleaded guilty to assaulting the premier, who grew up in New Zealand, went to Auckland University and was a member of the New Zealand Labour Party.

Magistrate Cathy Deland said she would not convict him over an assault she said occurred in most unusual circumstances. Deland placed Phillips, 56, on a A$1000 ($1300) two-year good behaviour bond.