A drunken man ripped his wife’s pyjamas when he lashed out at her with a knife after a heavy drinking session on December 25, Dundee Sheriff Court heard.
George Albert McPhee, 49, of Fleming Gardens East, had sentence deferred for reports by Sheriff Elizabeth Munro after admitting assaulting her at their former marital home in the city.
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson told the court the couple had been drinking together and had taken sleeping tablets and gone to bed to watch TV and continue drinking.
She said: “The accused was upset about not seeing his grandchildren over the festive period and the complainer tried to calm him down.
“However, he lashed out with a cutlery knife, ripping her pyjamas in the process, before falling back asleep again.”
His wife called the police, Ms Robertson said, and when they arrived they saw her in her pyjamas while the accused was lying sleeping in bed, the knife still in his hand.
Solicitor Doug McConnell said they had obtained a report that indicated he did not have psychiatric problems and said his problems were more alcohol related.
Sheriff Elizabeth Munro deferred sentence for reports and a restriction of liberty assessment until November 18 and granted him bail.