He claimed it was an isolated act of violence.

The man was also placed on probation for two years after pleading guilty to the assault charge.

In an agreed statement of facts, the court heard police were called to the man's apartment on Sept. 20 after neighbours heard yelling, screaming and what sounded like a woman being thrown around.

It was revealed the man came home intoxicated after being involved in a fight outside a downtown bar and smacked the woman once in the face as her three-year-old child looked on.

The man was arguing with her, stating that he had been assaulted by one of her ex-boyfriends.

He claimed he blacked out after the bar fight and had no recollection of hitting the woman. He added that violence was not a part of their relationship and they, in fact, were very happy together.

Judge Michel Bourassa said the woman and her child should be protected from violence in their own home. He was concerned that the young girl had witnessed the incident and said children often learn to act violently when they are exposed to it.

"That's what you're teaching your daughter -- the culture of the bottle and the culture of violence," he scolded.

Bad birthday choices

Meanwhile, a 46-year-old man who celebrated his birthday a little too hard and then jumped in his car intoxicated will spend 21 days in jail.

Frank Paper pleaded guilty Tuesday in territorial court to his fifth drinking and driving charge, operating a vehicle with more than the legal amount of alcohol in his blood.

The offence occurred on Sept. 10. Paper was pulled over near Centre Square mall by the RCMP after receiving a complaint earlier in the evening about a vehicle matching the description of the white Chrysler Intrepid he was driving.

The officer observed Paper lose his balance as he exited the car.

The officer said he had to repeat himself three times before Paper understood what he was saying.

The officer at the scene found an open beer can on the floor of the vehicle.

Despite the four prior drinking and driving convictions on his record, Paper had never served a day in jail. But Judge Michel Bourassa said a lot has changed since Paper's last conviction in 1989.

"Society is not fooling around on drinking and driving. If you want to go our for your birthday, Mr. Paper, take a cab. It's much cheaper," said Bourassa.

I addition to the jailtime, Paper's driver's licence was suspended for 18 months.