assaulting his ex-wife at her birthday party.

Sylvan Dill, 33, of Union Street, Pembroke, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to assaulting Angela Dill and doing her bodily harm.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Anthony Mouchette said the incident occurred at Mrs.

Dill's birthday party on July 29.

During the early hours of the next day, an intoxicated Dill arrived at the party and exchanged greetings with his then estranged wife and left. But he later returned and called out to her.

When she ignored him, Dill, gripped her shirt tightly, causing her to choke, court was told.

Sgt. Mouchette said while Dill was cursing Mrs. Dill, his tight hold on her shirt caused it to become undone exposing Mrs. Dill's bra.

Before other party-goers intervened, Dill also kicked Mrs. Dill in her stomach.

Mrs. Dill sustained scratches to the top portion of her body and bruises to her arms.

Dill, a father of six -- two of whom are with Mrs. Dill, told the court that he had apologised to his ex-wife for the incident.

"I went to get help after this,'' he said. "I went to Montrose (Substance Abuse Centre).

"I was under stress at the time. I had just been laid off.'' In 1986, Dill was convicted of the manslaughter of American Grantland Rice in the Supreme Court and was sentenced to six years in prison.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis ordered a social inquiry report to be completed by December 4.