A 42-year-old man arrested for punching his wife and pulling her hair told police: “I have not hit her for seven years, but she has been winding me up, winding me up, winding me up”.

Neil Vaughn, for the prosecution, told the court how an amicable planned visit by Habib Malik to see his four children at the family home in North Western Avenue, Watford, on Friday, May 22, ended with a vicious, unprovoked attack on his estranged wife Saeeda Malik.

Malik - who was cautioned in 2008 for kicking and slapping his sister - made a comment about how his wife of 18 years had been spending her time and that she never told him anything.

He checked her mobile phone to see who she had been calling and an argument ensued.

Malik got up from where he was sat and punched his wife - who he has been separated from for six years - to the right ear, knocking her to the ground.

She went to the kitchen and got her car keys and tried to leave the house, but Malik grabbed her by the hair and pulled her backwards as the woman screamed. Malik said: “I will teach you a lesson” and punched her three to four times in the face in quick succession.

Mrs Malik ran to the car parked in the road and got inside while her husband ranted outside: “If you ring the police I will sort you out”.

Malik jumped on the bonnet of the silver Honda Accord shouting: “Come out of the car or I will kill you” and repeatedly punched the windscreen, smashing the glass and injuring his hand.

Mrs Malik dialled 999 and got through to the police and Malik got off the vehicle and she escaped.

On his arrest Malik told police: “Me and my wife had an argument”. He admitted hitting her and smashing the car window, adding: “I have not hit her for seven years, but she has been winding me up, winding me up, winding me up.”

Mrs Malik received an X-ray at Watford General Hospital for a suspected broken jaw, and treatment for two bruised eyes and chin and side of her face.

She told police about another time Malik hit her and tried to burn the house down, saying: “I am so scared he will hurt me or the children”.

At St Albans Magistrates Court on Thursday Malik pleaded guilty to common assault and criminal damage.

Sohail Bashir, defending, said Malik regretted his actions that day and was full of remorse.

Mr Bashir said: “He flipped and didn't control his behavior” but denied punching the victim although he admitted slapping her.

Malik, who has given up work to be a full time carer for his mother, had been remanded in custody since his arrest.

He was released on conditional bail before sentence, which will take place after a trial for another allegation of common assault, which he denies.

Conditions of bail are that he lives and sleeps at his sister's address in Mortlake Road, Ilford, does not contact prosecution witnesses, and does not enter Hertfordshire except to visit his solicitor in St Albans.

Malik will stand trial for common assault at Hemel Hempstead Magistrates Court on Thursday, August 6.