A UKIP branch chairman may have to resign after being found guilty of assaulting his wife.

Greg Broome, who chairs Colne Valley UKIP branch, was found guilty of the assault by a district judge at Kirklees Magistrates Court yesterday.

The court heard Broome had cut the skin under his wife’s lip when he attempted to silence her during an argument at the Slaithwaite home the couple shared, in August 2012.

Broome had split from his wife but the pair and their children were still living together, the court was told.

An argument broke out over where Mrs Broome would sleep which spilled into the bathroom.

The court heard Mrs Broome had started screaming so Broome raised his hand to her face to silence her and his finger caught the skin below her lip, causing it to bleed.

Broome, 37, of Town End, Golcar, admitted the charge in a police interview and added he was sorry for causing the injury.

But in court yesterday Broome claimed he had been duped by police into believing his wife, Joanne Broome, had made a statement and a formal complaint.

Mrs Broome refused to press charges but the assault was reported to police by an unnamed person.

Broome’s defence argued that the interview could not be used as evidence – but District Judge Michael Fanning disagreed.

Handing Broome a six-month conditional discharge Mr Fanning said: “This happened at a time of immense stress.

“It was a one-off and nothing has happened since”.

Mr Fanning added: “You won’t be sentenced providing you don’t get into trouble for the next six months.”

The former UKIP candidate was order to pay £620 costs plus a £15 victim surcharge.

Broome, a full-time carer for his mother, stood as a UKIP Kirklees Council candidate for Golcar ward in May and in November last year.

After the hearing yesterday, Broome told the Examiner he may ‘potentially’ have to resign as chairman of Colne Valley UKIP branch.

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