A former writer has appeared in court after admitting to assaulting his partner.

Bosses from the  soap have said that they are ‘shocked and appalled’ by the incident.

Martin Fustes, 47, admitted to the assault of his girlfriend, causing actual bodily harm, and an offence of intentional suffocation on January 27.

He was given a two-year suspended prison sentence, 150 hours’ unpaid work, 15 days’ rehabilitation and a 26-session probation service domestic abuse programme.

He was also ordered to pay £2,000 compensation and £150 costs and given a ten-year restraining order.

He reportedly left his partner fearing for her life and when he turned nasty during a late-night argument, according to

Samantha Laws, prosecuting at Hull Crown Court, said Fustes and his partner had been together for around 13 years at the time and were living together with their children in Beverley, East Yorkshire.

The court was told that an argument had broken out, with Fustes raising the issue again when they went to bed at 10.30pm.

Fustes had been abusive and disparaging and had prodded her in the face and upper body with his fingers, keys and a vape before spitting in her face. He put both hands around her neck two or three times and blocked her from leaving the bedroom.

He also wrapped a dressing gown hood around her neck and pulled her back to the bed.