Pudding bowl attack on wife by councillor

A councillor has admitted assault after throwing a pudding bowl at his wife's head – sparking calls for him to resign.

Tory councillor Paul Woodall's wife Joanne was left with a one-inch cut to her forehead and blood pouring down her face, a court heard.

Dudley Magistrates was told Woodall, 45, elected two years ago for Kingswinford North and Wall Heath, would sometimes "scare" his wife when he had been drinking.

The couple, who have been married for two years, were having lunch on January 22 when an argument began after Woodall's wife discovered his job may be at risk, said Mrs Sukhi Rai, prosecuting.

He began calling her abusive names and then Mrs Woodall, after throwing a TV remote at her husband, picked up her bowl as if to throw it at him – but he stopped her and the food went down his front, Mrs Rai said.

She added: "He then threw his dish at her and it connected with her forehead. She immediately felt blood and could feel a hole in her head.

There had been two previous violent incidents between them which Mrs Woodall had not reported, she told police.

The couple have since got back together, the court heard, with Mrs Woodall saying they were "both strong characters".

Woodall, of High Street, Wall Heath, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and the case was adjourned by magistrates for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

If he gets a custodial term of more than three months he will be disqualified from elected office with Dudley Council.

Councillor David Sparks, Labour opposition leader on Dudley Council, said: "If he was a Labour councillor we would expect him to resign."Leaving court yesterday Councillor Woodall said: "It is a personal matter and has been dealt with personally."