MAGISTRATES gave an electrician who pushed a woman under severe provocation a conditional discharge.
The bench in Stroud heard that victim Linzi Williams continually hurled abuse at Stephen Farthing's wife, who was also kicked – but he found himself in the dock.
The bench heard she yelled obscenities at them several times as they walked home from the pub in Leonard Stanley on February 16.
"This is one of those cases where it is very, very close to being a not guilty plea," said Mr Farthing's solicitor Paul Griffin. "In some ways you wonder why he is in the dock and not the victim."
Prosecutor Teresa Perry said Ms Williams had consumed "quite a bit" of alcohol.
"Mrs Farthing was kicked and she fell backwards." she said. "Mr Farthing got between the two and he pushed Ms Williams out of the way and walked home."
He was bound over for six months and must pay £15 victim surcharge. The bench declined to make him pay costs as they felt it was not appropriate.