A LIBERAL Democrat councillor has been found guilty of assaulting his wife.

Imran Abrahim punched his spouse Binish and slapped her around the face as they rowed about a phone call.

He threatened to kill her and send her back to Pakistan during the heated exchange in November last year, Waltham Forest Magistrates Court heard.

Prosecuter Charles Elston said Abrahim had beaten his wife on previous occassions, but she had chosen not to go to the police.

It was alleged that Abrahim's brother, Urfan, became involved and threatened her with a knife during the argument.

The Crown Prosecution Service found there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the younger sibling.

Mrs Abrahim said the attack was witnessed by the couple's one-year-old daughter, who became distressed.

Abrahim argued that his wife had attacked him because she was angry that he had been discussing her with his sister.

While acknowledging that Abrahim was of previous good character, District Judge Haydon Gott dismissed his version of events after hearing medical evidence from Dr David Rubenstein, which supported Mrs Abrahim's claims.

The 31-year-old member for Forest Ward will be sentenced on April 10.

Under the terms of his bail, he is barred from visiting the family home.

Abrahim, of Knotts Green Road, Leyton, had the party whip withdrawn when he was charged with the offence.