A Church of England priest has been found guilty of a drunken attack on his wife and of driving away while over the drink-driving limit.

Former army chaplain Rev David Davies (50), parish priest for Cockington and Torre in Torquay, has been banned from driving for two years and was ordered to do 120 hours of community service.

The court was told that he assaulted his wife Donna, to whom he has been married for 23 years, while walking their dog in a park on November 4 last year.

Prosecutor Edward Counsell told Torbay Magistrates Court: "There was an argument between them. Mrs Davies tried to walk away and was followed by her husband who, according to two witnesses, grabbed her hair and pulled her to the ground."

Davies was interviewed by police after he had driven home and failed a breathalyser test. He had nearly three times the permitted level of alcohol in his blood.

He had previously failed to answer a court summons and had been arrested by police. He was relieved of his duties in September.

Defending him, Alan Parsons said in court: "The consequences for Rev Davies over what has been happening in the last year and especially as a result of these convictions, are quite monumental.

"He has been suspended by the Diocese of Exeter but the indications given to his wife is that he will not be allowed to continue.

"He has a lot of issues and a difficult path ahead."