and unlawfully assaulting her son was given a conditional discharge and advised to patch up his marriage in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Prosecutor Wayne Caines told the court that on February 23 of this year Police responded to a domestic dispute on North Shore Road in Hamilton Parish.

The court heard that Leon Llewellyn Wade, 38, returned home that night and said to his wife: "You're not meeting my needs anymore. You can pack your bags and get out.'' When his wife's son tried to intervene -- asking Wade to leave his mother alone -- Wade struck him in the head and a scuffle ensued.

Wade then became enraged and smashed two television sets before fleeing the scene on foot. He returned later that night and kicked open the door. At that time, his wife, Patricia, escaped through the bedroom window. Wade was later captured by Police.

Wade told acting Senior Magistrate Edward King that the televisions had both belonged to his wife, who was also in the courtroom, and that he was sorry for all that had happened.

"I think she's ready to take you back, aren't you Mrs. Wade,'' Mr. King said.

"When he gets his act together,'' she replied.

Mr. King told Wade he did not think "all had been lost'' in the marriage. "I can read between the lines. The door is open in the sense that it is not locked. You knock. You say who you are, `I would like to come in','' Mr. King said to Wade.

Mr. King then handed down a conditional discharge of 12 months on the charges.

Mrs. Wade and her husband left the courtroom together. "Ladies first,'' Mr.

King bellowed as he saw Wade moving through the doorway first. "My mistake,'' Wade replied quickly as he changed position.