Michael WebbANGRY Michael Webb wielded a machete and headbutted his father-in-law while searching for his wife who had fled the family home in fear.

Webb, 36, had earlier punched his wife Claire on the side of the head at their home in Pewsey during an argument on the evening of August 4.

She tried to call the police but Webb grabbed the telephone from her.

During the incident he broke an internal door at their home.

She eventually got out of the house in her nightwear and drove to her parent's home in Baydon. Shortly afterwards Webb arrived and let himself into the house with a key he had.

Nicola Wootton, prosecuting, told Kennet Magistrates Court in Devizes: "Webb was carrying a 24-inch blade machete with him which he had taken from the boot of his car."

Mrs Webb's father, Michael O'Dwyer, was coming down the stairs and saw the defendant carrying the machete. Miss Wootton added: "He said Webb was aggressive and he tried to get him to hand over the machete. Webb said 'Oh you want some as well' and he headbutted Mr O'Dwyer causing a one inch cut to the centre of his forehead. The blow knocked Mr O'Dwyer down on to the stairway."

Webb searched the rooms for his wife but she was hiding in the grounds of the village youth club.

Webb left but he returned soon afterwards and kicked in the front door to Mr O'Dwyer's home causing £200 damage. Webb drove off and the machete was later found broken in a hedgerow in Baydon.

Webb again returned to Mr O'Dwyer's home but had calmed down and he sat in the kitchen drinking coffee while he waited for the police to arrive.

Chris Oswald, defending, said a psychiatric report had shown there were issues relating to Webb's childhood which resulted in him having a short temper which up until this incident he had controlled.

He said he had expressed remorse to the family, the police and the court.

"This was a serious incident and was frightening to all the people involved. Fortunately no-one was hurt. He had the machete but he made no efforts to strike out with it," Mr Oswald said.

He said Mr Webb's wife was talking to Webb and offering her support but was not allowing him to visit the matrimonial home.

Webb, who is now living in Isbury Road, Marlborough, pleaded guilty to affray, common assault against his wife, common assault against a boy and two charges of criminal damage. His wife was in court.

Mr Oswald believed the magistrates should sentence Webb but after a short amount of deliberation the magistrates declined jurisdiction.

Webb will be sentenced at the Crown Court on a date to be fixed. He was released on bail with the conditions he lives and sleeps at the address in Isbury Road, and is not to go into Pewsey or Baydon unless for prearranged appointments with a doctor or osteopath.