A MARRIED couple launched a violent assault on a 20-year-old man after words changed to blows in a Chinese takeaway, Kennet magistrates heard.

Andrew and Claire Ball, of Chiminage Close, Marlborough, both pleaded guilty to assaulting by beating Barry Gulliver on the night of December 1 last year.

Anna Humphreys, prosecuting, told the court on Tuesday that Mr Gulliver had gone to the takeaway in Marlborough where he saw Mr and Mrs Ball. Mrs Ball started staring at him then began to shout, "if you want to hit someone, hit me".

After more words were exchanged, Mrs Ball is alleged to have grabbed Mr Gulliver around the neck and pushed him out through the door.

Outside she punched him up to eight times before forcing him to the ground and sitting on his chest. There she continued to punch him and bang his head against the ground. She also scratched his face.

Mr Ball went outside and joined in the assault, kicking and punching Mr Gulliver in the head.

In police interview, Mr Ball admitted he and his wife had been drinking and had had about eight pints in a local pub. He said he remembered Mr Gulliver going up to his wife and starting to argue with her.

He said he had kicked Mr Gulliver on the ground because he thought he was getting the better of his wife.

Tim Hammick, defending, said what appeared to be a nasty, unprovoked attack had actually been the subject of substantial provocation. But magistrates made a derogatory assertions order banning the publication of many of Mr Hammick's assertions about the nature of the provocation, because Mr Gulliver was not in court to defend himself.

Mr Hammick said Mrs Ball denied banging Mr Gulliver's head on the ground. He said that Mr Gulliver's injuries would have been much more severe if that had taken place. As it was the victim did not even go to hospital for treatment.

Magistrates adjourned the case for reports and released Mr and Mrs Ball on unconditional bail to appear at Andover magistrates court on April 7.