A HUSBAND has been cleared of assaulting his wife but banned from entering the area of Dawlish in which she lives.

Philip Labrum, aged 60, was found not guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm to his wife Rebecca after the prosecution offered no evidence at Exeter Crown Court.

Judge David Evans imposed a non-conviction restraining order which bans all contact with her for three years, other than through solicitors to arrange the ending of their marriage.

The order also banned him from entering a large area of Dawlish, including her address on a main road into the town. He was prohibited from going to any address where he believes she may be.

The Judge told him the restriction does not cover the large Tesco supermarket on the edge of the town but required him to take back routes around Dawlish if he intended to go further.

Miss Caroline Bolt, prosecuting, said there have been concerns that Labrum, who is currently living in Seebohm Close, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, may buy a property in Dawlish.