A husband assaulted his wife after accusing her of having an affair with a neighbour, a court heard.

Mark Nelson, 32, of Buckley Close, Hove, pulled his wife, Tania, off the sofa by her hair.

He then put his hand on the 33-year-old's throat, making her think she would be strangled, Brighton Magistrates Court heard.

Nelson admitted a charge of common assault and was sentenced to a 12-month community rehabilitation order with a condition to attend a domestic violence programme.

He was also ordered to pay £70 costs.

The court heard the couple were now reconciled.

Andrew Walker, prosecuting, told the court there had been trouble between the couple, who have been married for six years, in the weeks leading up to the assault on March 4.

Mr Walker said: "They were arguing about the state of affairs and as a consequence he pulled her by her hair from the sofa on to the floor where he tried to strangle her.

"She screamed and cried out."

John Searby, defending, said Nelson was remorseful of his actions and had immediately apologised to his wife. He admitted pulling her hair but denied trying to strangle her.

Mr Searby said the assault took place after Nelson, who had been drinking, received information about the alleged affair from a source he believed to be reliable.