A PENSIONER has admitted to a booze-fuelled tirade on his wife which saw him shouting “I’d like to f*****g hit you.”

John Crawford launched into the aggressive verbal assault after becoming enraged when he saw his wife of 44-years pouring herself a glass of wine.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard the 71-year-old returned to the couple’s home in Monarch Gardens, Dreghorn following a night at the pub with friends.

The fiscal told the court: “On the evening the accused was out at a pub drinking he returned home about 9pm and his wife and son were in the house.

“The complainer noticed he was in a drunken state and he began to be verbally abusive towards her.

“The complainer poured herself a glass of wine and the accused stated: “That’s all you need” and continued to be aggressive towards her.

“He continued being aggressive and got into her face and shouted “I hate you. I’d like to f*****g hit you.

“She went outside to have a cigarette and try to get away from the accused in the hope he would calm down. She went back in but his behaviour continued.”

At the time the couple’s 32-year-old son was staying with them and came downstairs after hearing the commotion and saw his father “standing over” his mother. 

Police were called and Crawford was arrested.

Crawford’s solicitor said his client had moved out of the family home but was hoping to repair his marriage. 

He said: “Mr Crawford deeply regrets this incident. His recollection is he had been out and had been drinking.

“He thinks his wife had been out at a friend’s house and felt she had been drinking.

“A row developed. Mr Crawford hopes there might be a reconciliation. He has been residing elsewhere and his wife is still in the marital home.”

Deferring sentence for six months, Sheriff Michael Hanlon told Crawford: “I hope when you come back to court you don’t have any similar matters arising.”