Furniture trader John Cowell, 39, admitted causing mum-of-four Lindsay, 38, actual bodily harm and breaching a non-molestation order.
The vulnerable mother slammed the criminal justice system over the decision outside the court.
Cowell, of Preston, Lancs, launched the attack after he had been to the pub on the night before her sister’s wedding in January last year.
Prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, Kyra Badman said: “She says there was a background of violence and control in the relationship.
“On January 8 last year, Lindsay Cowell called John Cowell at 7pm to ask what time he would be home.
“He was drinking at the Green Man pub. On arriving back there was an argument primarily about a holiday. He grabbed her left arm. He then punched her to the head with both fists.
“She describes having her hair pulled towards the chip fryer, which was on.
“He threw her to the floor, kicked her thigh before pulling her into the hallway.”
Lindsay was left suffering cartilage damage to her knee, nightmares and flashbacks.
A non-molestation order was issued on January 12 but Cowell still sent her texts in March.
Judge Simon Medland QC told Cowell: “You behaved in a completely unacceptable, frightening and violent way.
“You pulled her about, you frightened her, you terrified her and the children and took it upon yourself to use direct physical violence, causing serious bruising which has had significant effects upon her.”
The judge handed Cowell a 15-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He also imposed an 18-day rehabilitation requirement, a restraining order and £2,000 in compensation.
Judge Medland also ordered two further counts of controlling and coercive behaviour and a further assault on the same victim to lie on file.
Lindsay slammed the verdict outside court, claiming she suffered a series of assaults during their relationship.
She said: "It is a year to the day of the most serious attack. But I feel cheated his sentence was suspended, and the coercive control charge is lying on file.
"People ask why victims don't report everything that happens to them. It's because they feel they won't be believed or that it won't be taken seriously.
"For me the controlling behaviour was the worst thing, not being allowed to go out and do anything.
"Sometimes the emotional side of it is more hurtful than the violence. One minute he was loving, the next he was screaming and shouting."
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