A Burnham pub landlord who threw a pint of water over the landlady has been convicted of assault.

On October 26 last year, police were called to the Ye Olde Swan in Burnham High Street following an argument in the pub between the landlady, Jaqueline Murray, and her partner, who co-runs the business, Charles May.

At High Wycombe Magistrates Court on Thursday, the court heard how during the argument, May, aged 44, had thrown a glass of water in the face of his partner, saying “Do you want to wear this? Here you go” as he threw it.

Despite his partner not wanting to press charges against him, May pleaded guilty to assault by beating and was given a six-month conditional discharge at Wycombe Magistrates Court on Thursday. He will also have to pay £107 costs.

Prosecutor Rebecca Thomas told the court how the altercation began at about 10.30pm in the pub, where the pair live, when Ms Murray accused May of cheating on her. The pub was closed and empty when the argument took place.

The argument continued for around 50 minutes, at which point the police arrived and arrested May.

Ms Thomas added: “He did show remorse and was unaware that throwing a drink at someone was common assault.

“He threw it over her to try and stop her arguing, he was trying to stop an escalation with his actions.”

The court heard from May’s defence that Ms Murray was “upset” that the matter had been taken to court, and that she felt her own behaviour that night had also been unacceptable.

The court was also told how the pair remain “very close” and are looking forward to when the pub trade starts to pick up again when more lockdown restrictions are lifted.

According to the Criminal Justice Act 1988, a person is guilty of common assault if they inflict violence upon another person – no matter how slight.

May will not have to serve any of his six-month sentence in prison, but if he commits any crime during that period he will have to serve it on top of any additional sentence.