Former Swindon school head teacher beat and harassed wife

Christopher Belli was sentenced to an 18-month community order at Gloucester Crown Court

The former acting head teacher of a secondary school beat his wife after he became jealous after she and her former husband were at an event.

Christopher Belli, 48, who was acting head of Ridgeway School in Swindon, admitted assaulting his wife by beating her on 26 February.

He grabbed her neck and hit her head onto the wall. Belli was sentenced to an 18-month community order.

He was told by the judge he had lost his "good character".

Gloucester Crown Court heard that the assault came after she and her first husband were at a karate event and Belli had become jealous.

Prosecutor Naomi Aylwin explained that Belli, who was the former secondary director of The White Horse Federation, began sending a series of text messages to his wife, asking "how far away from him are you?" and "have you spoken with him?".

Shortly afterwards he turned up at the venue where she was and said "let's see what happens now".

Grabs her neck

At Mrs Belli's home, he pushed her through the front door. She then attempted to call the police, Ms Aylwin said.

"During this assault Mr Belli grabs her neck making her react and hits her head onto the wall," she continued.

The court was told that the couple had been together for five years and had been married for two until it ended in February.

Belli admitted harassing his wife between 25 February and 4 March.

In his police interview Belli, of Hillside Avenue, Blaenavon, Pontypool, South Wales, said he had become emotional and extremely upset over the breakup of the relationship.

'One-off'

Mrs Belli, a teacher for the past 20 years, read out her victim statement and explained that an incident at school with a pupil, who was being verbally aggressive towards her, had triggered other emotions in her.

She added: "I no longer have control of my emotions.

"I panicked during this exchange with the pupil. I look back and I now know that the incident with my husband has affected my well-being."

Catherine Flint, defending, said: "Mr Belli has submitted a number of references from friends, family and former colleagues, which shows a different side to him.

"These references in effect demonstrate that this incident was a one-off.

"He has a previous good standing in the community and the consequences of this conviction are far more devastating, far more far reaching for him than anything this court can impose."

Restraining order

The judge Recorder Malcolm Gibney told Belli: "This course of conduct is wholly unacceptable.

"You've now lost your good character, your standing in the community and I accept you've shown remorse over this."

The judge subjected Belli to 30 programme requirement days, 10 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions and undertake 50 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay a contribution towards court costs of £300.

Belli was also made subject to the terms of a five year restraining order.