Husband charged with assault after becoming furious over his wife's cooking of his favourite meal

Alexander Murdo Mackay told officers he threw his plate at his wife because she did not separate the meatballs and the potato. Photo/123RF

A furious husband who hurled a plate at his wife after she served meatballs on top of his mashed potato has been ordered to take marriage lessons.

Alexander Murdo MacKay, 62, told police he had thrown the dinner because she had not separated the items and that the two foods had mixed.

Martin Butterworth, prosecuting, said his wife Lesley MacKay had blood running from a cut on her face when police arrived at the marital home, according to Daily Mail.

She had dialled 999 on May 5 and Mrs MacKay declined to give a police statement but her husband was still prosecuted.

York Magistrates' Court heard police had been called out on a previous occasion to the home some years earlier and the couple had been married for 32 years.

Senior magistrate Margaret Scott, sitting with two colleagues, told the husband: "It is fortunate she was not badly hurt.

"Whilst she is at home, she has the right to expect good behaviour from you and trust from you."

MacKay, from Heworth, York, admitted assault and was given a 12-month community order including 40 days' rehabilitative activities.

The punishment is expected to include lessons on how to behave towards his spouse and how to control his temper.

He was also ordered to pay £85 ($154) prosecution costs and an £85 ($154) statutory surcharge.

Harry Bayman, defending, said: "There was no good reason for him to lose his temper. It was a momentary thing.

"He lashed out by throwing a plate across the room, and unfortunately, hit his wife."

The husband had seen his GP for help with anger management.