GRAND FORKS (AP) - Former Thompson police chief John Thomas Howard has been given a suspended sentence and ordered to give up his firearms collection after pleading guilty to a charge of assaulting his wife.

The 71-year-old Howard had been charged with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor simple assault. He agreed to plead guilty to the misdemeanor count in exchange for dismissal of the felony charge.

Prosecutor Meredith Larson said Howard's wife did not want the case to go to trial and agreed with the terms of the plea deal.

Judge Sonja Clapp sentenced Howard to 30 days in jail with all but three days suspended for a year. He was given credit for three days already served.

Howard also is barred from having guns for the rest of his life.

He was Thompson's police chief from 1978 to 2000. He and his attorney declined to comment after Thursday's hearing.