A DAD who punched his wife in front of their children on a family holiday at Gulliver’s World hotel has been given a second chance by the court.

Gary Morton, of Pendle, and his wife at the time, got into an argument at the theme park hotel in Warrington after a children’s disco where they had been drinking.

The couple had been together for six years and there was a known history of domestic violence ‘both ways’.

The judge described the pair's behaviour as ‘shameful’ after hearing how Morton punched the victim with such force she was left needing nine stitches – in front of their three children.

The 30-year-old appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), despite previously claiming it was ‘self-defence'.

Prosecuting, Simon Mintz said the argument began at the resort’s bar area, which led to the woman taking herself upstairs to her room with her two children with Morton following her up later.

Mr Mintz stated how the argument then progressed to screaming and shouting.

He said Morton made ‘unpleasant comments’ towards the woman and then lost his temper and punched her in the face with such force that she fell to the floor.

The court heard how Morton was arrested at the hotel and the victim attended hospital with pain in her head and nose, blurred vision, memory loss and headaches.

She was treated for mild concussion and her head was sewn together - needing nine stitches.

In a victim statement, Morton’s former wife revealed in September 2020 that since the incident she has felt ‘lost’, ‘numb’, ‘emotionally drained’ and has since suffered with anxiety and insecurities about her face.

Defending, Phillip Holden explained how Morton has previous good character, has no previous convictions and is a ‘hard worker.’

He also told the court how Morton, of Highfield Crescent, Nelson, has his children for four nights a week.

Judge David Swinnerton described the victim’s behaviour as ‘poor’ towards Morton but claimed this was ‘no excuse’ for his behaviour.

He also said he accepted it was ‘short lived’ and there was an ‘element of provocation’.

The judge said the offence clearly had a significant impact on the victim and it was aggravated by her being vulnerable in a hotel room and in front of children.

He also described Morton’s actions as ‘damaging’ to the children but said Morton ‘does his bit’ as a father and that a prison sentence would have a negative impact on his children.

He added: ‘‘You don’t want your son behaving in his adult life how you did.

‘‘You are genuinely remorseful for what you did and for the injury.’’

Morton was given a seven month sentence suspended for two years as a ‘reminder and form of security’ that he is to ‘never behave in that way again’.

He was also given 30 days rehabilitation requirement, a Skills for Relationship Tools course and a Building Better Relationships programme.

Judge Swinnerton concluded: ‘‘Look after your children and stay out of trouble.’’