CONVICTED wife-beaters should be forced to undergo breath tests in a bid to prevent domestic violence, says an MP.

Andrew Turner, MP for the Isle of Wight, wants people guilty of drunkenly lashing out at their partners to be breathalysed - and face punishments if they are over a specified alcohol limit.

Compelling someone who is guilty of domestic violence to take breath tests could form part of an antisocial behaviour order - a form of curfew imposed by courts - said the Isle of Wight MP. Mr Turner, a Tory backbencher, made the radical proposal in his Anti-Social Behaviour and Domestic Violence Bill, presented to the House of Commons this week. This would help prevent domestic violence without necessarily breaking up families, he said.

Statistics reveal 32 per cent of cases of domestic violence were committed under the influence of alcohol. 45 per cent of victims suffer repeatedly, said Mr Turner.

He said: "Current legislation does much to penalise perpetrators, but little to prevent repeat offending."

This Bill enables an ASBO to require someone who offends while in drink to reduce their alcohol consumption.

"It puts the subject into the same position as every motorist - entitling the police to breathalyse him to check that he is not over the limit.

"It gives the police a power which would help them prevent crime without driving men - it is usually men - out of their homes and away from their wives and children."