Maitland Local Court heard that the couple, who have four children under six years old, began arguing about 6am on October 22, 2011, after drinking red wine the night before.

Neither Shane Edward Sams nor his partner, Felicity Nicholls, had slept when they began discussing a future wedding date.

Police documents tendered to the court said Ms Nicholls insisted they marry, claiming their children had asked why mum and dad had different surnames.

But Sams said, “[He] didn’t want to marry a liar.”

They continued to argue in the lounge room of their Lawson Avenue home when she grabbed his genitals and refused to let go.

After six requests from Sams for her to let go Ms Nicholls replied, “I’m not letting go, hit me.”

With a closed fist Sams punched Ms Nicholls in the nose causing a five centimetre cut.

On Friday the stay-at-home father pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

“Although he did ask six times to be let go, Mr Sams does admit this was an overreaction,” Sams’ solicitor said.

In sentencing the 43-year-old to a 12 month good behaviour bond, magistrate Brian Van Zuylen said the assault was appalling considering all four children were in the home at the time.

“You’re setting an appalling example, demonstrating to your children that the way to deal with violence is to belt their mother,” he told Sams.

Sams was also served with an apprehended violence order and is not to verbally or physically abuse his de facto wife.