A woman feared her ex-husband was going to kill her when he attacked her as they discussed custody arrangements for their children, a court heard.

Melanie Ward said Andrew Niblett, 38, of Bainton Road, Oxford, beat her up as their young son and daughter were asleep upstairs. Niblett denied assault by beating.

She said: "He put both his hands around my neck and tried to strangle me and I couldn't shout out, and at that point felt he really was going to kill me."

Oxford Magistrates' Court heard yesterday Niblett and Miss Ward, who were divorced in April 1999, had been discussing who would have the children over the Easter holidays at Niblett's home when he lost his temper on March 7.

Niblett told the court Miss Ward had struck the first blow, which knocked off his glasses. "I retaliated with equal force," he said. "We both stood up tussling and ended up on the floor.

Magistrates found Niblett guilty. Chairman of the bench, Pat Waugh, said: "We are satisfied the injuries rwere more than would have occurred in just a tussle."

Niblett was fined £200, and ordered to pay £50 compensation to Miss Ward and £150 costs.