A COMPANY boss is appealing against the length of a 26-week prison sentence imposed at Barnsley Magistrates' Court after punching and kicking his wife in a 15-minute attack.

Kevin Clark, 51, managing director of Windsor Foods, is on conditional bail until the appeal at Sheffield Crown Court on a date yet to be confirmed.

He suspected his wife Kimberley of having an affair with someone who worked at the firm, Jayne Ormrod, prosecuting, said at the sentencing hearing.

The attack happened after Clark, Mrs Clark and the man he suspected of carrying on with her had been on a night out at a pub in Hoyland, Mrs Ormrod said.

She said Clark's assault was so ferocious that a witness thought he was attacking another man.

Mrs Ormrod said he punched Mrs Clark several times in the face and she fell on the floor. He kicked her while she was on the ground and swore at her.

Mrs Ormrod added that he punched and kicked her several times again.

Alan Greaves, defending, said Clark's conduct would haunt him for the rest of his life.

He described Clark, of Redland Grove, Staincross, as a 'workaholic' who had risen to the top from the shop floor.

Mr Greaves said Clark, who worked 80-hour weeks, had been under constant pressure at work.

Mr Greaves said: "There was a problem with Mr Clark's marriage. He believed his wife was having an affair with someone who worked at Windsor Foods.

"Mr Clark went out for a drink after work with his wife. The other man was present. Mr Clark went to the toilet and, when he returned, his wife and the other man had gone.

"Mr Clark put two and two together and made more than four. He's totally and utterly ashamed of himself. His life caved in on the day of the assault."

Mr Greaves added that Mrs Clark and the family had forgiven him. She was 'desperate' to get him back and had come to court to support him.

He said she had tried to withdraw her complaint against him but it was too late as he was awaiting sentencing.

District Judge John Foster said: "I have recently not heard a worse domestic violence case. This was a shocking assault."