A MAN who threw petrol over his wife after a row caused by drinking, has been told to sort out his drug problem.

Rob Galley, prosecuting, told York Crown Court Gemma Hayter was terrified by Ryan Hayter’s actions in their Sherburn-in-Elmet garden. She fled to a friend’s house nearby, covered in the fuel.

Shortly before the incident, her husband had blocked her path as she tried to leave the garden and slapped her face. The couple, who had been in a relationship since 2008 and married for two years had been drinking with visitors. Ryan Hayter, 32, formerly of Meadow View, Sherburn-in-Elmet, pleaded guilty to affray and was given a community order with 12 months’ supervision and six months’ drug rehabilitation.

The Recorder of York, Judge Stephen Ashurst, said Mrs Hayter may have feared that the petrol could be ignited.

“I can well understand how frightened she was,” he said. “In the event there were no physical or serious injuries but I have no doubt for a moment, she was very very alarmed by these events.” He took into account that Ryan Hayter had already spent the equivalent of 182 days in custody since his arrest.

The judge also made a restraining order to last indefinitely. Under it, Ryan Hayter is banned from having any contact with his wife, other than through a solicitor to collect his belongings.

For Ryan Hayter, Taryn Turner said the relationship between husband and wife had been strained and matters had blown up on the day of the incident.

Since being bailed, Ryan Hayter had moved to Wales, where he was hoping to set up a business cleaning windows.