Truro magistrates adjourned a case of domestic violence to allow reports on the defendant who was said to have suffered a serious head injury as a young boy, which had affected his hormones.

Before them was Robin Campbell, aged 41, of Mawgan, Helston, who pleaded guilty to three offences of assaulting Vivienne Campbell at Mabe last month.

Graham Calderwood, for the CPS, said on one occasion he had pulled a bed cover over her head while she was in bed, pushing it down on her, which shocked and horrified her, although she was not injured by it.

After an argument, he was trying to open a door which she was trying to close when it banged on his head and he reacted by punching her in the chest. On another occasion he had grabbed her wrists and dragged her to a sofa where he punched her on the knee.

On Hallowe’en night he had thrown a pumpkin at her which did not touch her, although it made her frightened.

Interviewed by the police, Campbell said he suffered from moods because of stress and alcohol which he knew was not a good mix. Polly Morley his solicitor, said the couple’s relationship had become very strained financially and Campbell had been drinking too much. He was not aware he should not have had drink after having had hormone replacement for his head injury. The case was adjourned to December 9.