SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife man who pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife and two small children won't have to return to jail after spending two months in custody.

The man, 26, who cannot be named as it would identify his victims, was charged with assault after police went to a downtown apartment building on Feb. 25. They were told the man "was in the apartment intoxicated and hitting his wife and two babies," said Crown prosecutor Andrew Fox.

He said police found the man on a bed and unresponsive at around 11:30 p.m. The man's wife said her husband "had consumed approximately two mickeys of rum," said Fox at the hearing, which began June 10 and concluded the next day.

The man had hit both of his infant children on the head with a fist, said Fox, adding the man had used a sweeping motion when delivering the blows.

He said the man was angry with his wife because she was not taking her medication properly. The man grabbed his wife by her hair and kicked her once in the face and once in the arm.

Fox said the wife and children were taken to hospital and none had lasting injuries.

The man also pleaded guilty to twice breaking conditions of his release to abstain from alcohol and not to have contact with his family. Following the second violation of his conditions, the man was taken to jail, where he remained until the June 10 hearing.

"He is clearly an alcoholic," said defence lawyer Hugh Latimer of the man, who has no previous criminal record. "This was totally out of character."

At the sentencing, the man spoke softly as he offered an apology to his wife and children, who were present in the courtroom.

He was given two months in jail for breaking court conditions, which he has already served awaiting his day in court. As well, the judge gave him a suspended sentence, which includes one year of probation. Provided he doesn't violate the terms of the sentence or commit any other crimes, he won't have to return to jail. During that period, some of the conditions the man must abide by include not consuming alcohol, not possessing firearms and completing 75 hours of community service.