A man grieving the loss of his mum and brother lashed out at his partner in a row at their home.
Sean Burton (43), of Queen Street, Sutton Bridge, grabbed his partner Michelle Ward by her pony tail and hit her around the head,
Spalding magistrates heard.
Prosecutor Jim Clare said the couple had been together for 26 years when the assault took place on November 10.
In a statement to police, Ms Ward said Burton had lost his mum and his brother within the last year, was under stress at work and had been drinking a lot.
She said: “I believe he is suffering from depression and I just want him to get help from the doctor.
“It’s not fair for him to take his stress out on me.”
Burton pleaded guilty to assault by beating and sentence was adjourned to December 20 for a probation report.
Solicitor Mike Alexander, mitigating, said Burton had since been prescribed anti-depressants.
He said: “It is not normal behaviour for this gentleman.”
Mr Alexander said the couple are living together again and the assault left no physical injuries.