A NORTH Albury father of six children has been put on an eight-month suspended jail sentence for punching his cousin.
Trevor Lawrence Quayle pleaded guilty in Albury Local Court yesterday to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Magistrate Tony Murray told Quayle that family disputes were not resolved by violence.
Mr Murray said Quayle had a disgraceful record and had served periods in jail before 2005 when he met his partner.
They have six children under eight years old.
The court was told Quayle, 30, of Wingara Street, was drinking alcohol with others at a Lavington residence on Wednesday night, about 8.45pm.
Quayle made a derogatory remark about his cousin, who was sitting on a chair in the kitchen.
He then punched him to the right cheek, causing him to fall backwards.
He was pulled away and the victim left, contacting police about the assault.
When police arrived, they found Quayle hiding under a stairwell.
Mr Murray said Quayle has found stability with his partner and children in recent years.