Indian-origin man in UK jailed for assaulting family

London: A British court has jailed an Indian-origin man for assaulting his wife and son after a tiff over a TV show, a leading English daily reported Thursday.

Ajit Sekhon, 59, battered his son Paul, 32, with a metal bowl and later his wife Manjit Kaur, 55, with an ornament, ripping the skin off her head at his home in Britain's South Yorkshire in October last year, the Mirror reported.

Ajit lost his temper as Paul adjusted the TV settings while a popular programme was being shown.

The Sheffield Crown Court last week sentenced Ajit Sekhon for 16-and-a-half years in jail as he admitted to grievous bodily harm.

The court heard the family had suffered years of domestic abuse at Ajit Sekhon's hands.

"This was a sustained and brutal assault and this type of violence would not be tolerated within the criminal justice system," the police said.

The victims are still recovering from their injuries.

Manjit Kaur said in her court statement that she was in constant pain, adding: "I required immediate surgery and I thank the police for saving my life."

She said her life was in serious jeopardy as it required immediate surgery to the "wounds on my scalp and a blood transfusion".

"The injuries I have are more than the permanent scars I have to my head. I have mental scars too, and am due to undergo some counselling. I am finding it very difficult to sleep - I have bad dreams and nightmares. I am finding life very difficult," she said.

Paul suffered a deep gash to his arm, broken fingers and tendon injuries to his hands.

He said he continues to live in a state of trauma.

"Often, if I hear sirens, I will think back to the assault," Paul said.