A dad whose children say they saw him attack their mother has been banned from seeing his wife.

Muhammad Haris Khan, 31, allegedly choked, threatened and left his pregnant wife bruised in their Manchester Road home.

A domestic violence protection order, granted in Swindon Magistrates' Court on July 9, forbids Khan from making contact with his wife for a month.

Khan was arrested for actual bodily harm and non-fatal strangulation of his 28-weeks pregnant wife on July 2, but he has not been charged with the crimes.

Police were called to Khan's address after being alerted by an ambulance of “significant concerns" for his wife. 

Khan had initially called the ambulance in the evening saying his wife was suffering from abdominal pain.

But his wife disclosed to paramedics that she had been assaulted.

A Wiltshire Police officer told the court: “Paramedics were told Khan had grabbed her by the wrists causing bruising, and slammed her head against the wall.

“He then placed his arms against her neck while she was pushed against the wall.”

The officer added Khan had reportedly told his wife that he would hurt her more, which would hurt her baby.

The couple have two children, 12 and 14, who described “daddy pushing mummy” and said they were scared Khan would hit them.

Their mum was taken to hospital but she and the baby did not sustain long-term injuries.

Khan denied all allegations in police interview, saying his wife was unwell and lost consciousness, hitting her head against the wall before he placed her on the bed and called an ambulance.

He also denied choking and threatening her.

He is already banned from contacting his wife and children or going to the address under his police bail conditions as the investigation continues.

Khan said that his wife had told him that police officers were putting words into her mouth.

Khan, representing himself, said: “If I had hit my wife would I call an ambulance again and again?”

He said this was the first time this had happened and the children did not know what they were saying.

He added: “My family needs me at this time because I am the only one supporting the kids.

“She is angry with me because I am not giving her my full attention. She just wants me to be with her more.”

He continued he had nowhere to sleep apart from the Manchester Road address and had spent nights in his car.

The magistrate decided that on the balance of probability, Khan posed a violent threat to his wife and granted a domestic violence protection order.

This prohibits Khan from entering or evicting his wife from the address and only allows contact with his wife via an agreed third party for the arrangement of child contact. It lasts for 28 days.

This runs alongside Khan’s police bail conditions, which if he breaks, will lead to his arrest.

The magistrates said: “We feel your wife needs breathing space for her and her children’s protection.”