Yellowknife (Dec 19/03) - A man who assaulted his common-law wife twice in two days was sentenced Tuesday to four months in jail.

According to territorial court prosecutors, the man got mad at his wife when she came home from her birthday party slightly intoxicated.

He reportedly punched her in the head with a closed fist several times.

Crown attorney Andrew Fox said the man didn't punch her in the face because that would have left bruises.

After the attack, the 48-year-old man curled up on the ground and begged for forgiveness.

But the next night he walked up to her at the Gold Range, punched her twice in the head and missed with two other attempted haymakers.

In court, the man's lawyer said his client was under a great deal of stress because he owed several thousands dollars to creditors.

But Chief Judge Michel Bourassa said that was no excuse for assaulting his wife.

"I don't doubt that he stresses. Everyone does. But that's no excuse... for an act of violence. Life is stressful. Deal with it," Bourassa said.

The man has eight previous assault convictions on his record, including two against police officers. However, he has never spent a prolonged period in jail, noted Bourassa.

"He has had many judicial escapes in the past. He has to realize this is unacceptable," the judge said.

The man's common-law wife told police she still wants to stay with her husband. She urged the court not to impose a probation order barring him from contact with her once he is released.