Former Christie's art expert walks free after punching wife Sentencing him, District Judge Andrew Sweet said the time Mr Brenninkmeyer spent in custody was "nothing in comparison with what you put your wife through." He added: "An aggravating feature is that your children were in the car. What they are thinking, we don't know. It is all about you exercising power in your relationship in a bullying way. Mark Haslam, in mitgation, said his client was on medication and was desperate to save his marriage. Mr Halsam said Brenninkmeyer "bitterly regretted" assaulting his wife "especially in front of the children." He said: "He has anger management issue he is addressing. Given the right circumstances, he hopes his marriage can be saved. He also said that spending two nights in custody was "a salutary experience, especially for a man of his background." The court heard how Mr Brenninkmeyer's wife has declared she wants a six month "cooling off period" during which time she won't see her husband. Brenninkmeyer, who is currently living with his father in Kingston-upon-Thames, will continue to see their two children. Brenninkmeyer worked at Christie's until 2010 and has also previously worked for London auctioneers Bonhams & Butterfields. The 42 year-old, who is currently the London director of Vienna auction house Dorotheum, has been undergoing treatment for anxiety.