Former TV sports presenter Cameron Williams pushed his partner when affected by alcohol and prescription medication during an argument about their relationship, a court has heard.

The 59-year-old appeared in Singleton Local Court on Friday after he initially pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.

The court heard the more serious charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm was withdrawn by the prosecutor at the 11th hour after successful negotiations on Thursday night.

The TV presenter's lawyer Paul McGirr told the court his client pleaded guilty to the remaining assault charge but requested it be dismissed on mental health grounds.

The court heard Mr Williams assaulted his wife Natasha Russo at a property on Putty Road in Howes Valley between 8.30am and just after midnight on November 19 last year.

The pair had been working on their rustic 42-acre property in the Hunter Valley with friends before the group shared four to six bottles of wine in the evening, according to court documents.

Magistrate Kevin Hockey noted the friends were 'slightly affected by alcohol' that night.

Mr Williams and Ms Russo, who had been separated for about two months according to court documents, retired to their bedroom around 8.30pm and began to discuss the dissolution of their 16-year relationship.

The agreed facts reveal the conversation about their future escalated into a 'loud verbal argument' during which Mr Williams laid his hands on his partner.

The court heard the former Channel 9 stalwart grabbed Ms Russo on the upper arms and pushed her backwards. She then kicked him away, according to the facts.

'This is a very unfortunate incident,' Mr McGirr acknowledged.

He described the altercation as 'two adults having a discussion' about the possibility of reconciliation.

'There is no striking, no hitting and no punching,' Magistrate Hockey agreed.

The court heard Mr Williams' consumption of alcohol and prescription medication contributed to the incident.

Mr Williams had been diagnosed with depression and generalised anxiety disorder before the incident, the court was told.

He was undergoing treatment for his mental health conditions in March last year when he resigned from his role as a sports presenter for Channel 9.

Magistrate Hockey accepted Mr Williams had been struggling with his mental health for more than a year which acted to reduce his moral culpability.

He categorised the assault as an 'impulsive reaction'.

The magistrate dismissed the assault charge on the grounds that Mr Williams was mentally unwell at the time.

The court heard Mr Williams will be released into the care of his psychologist.

He will be required to live in Sydney and abide by the conditions of a year-long apprehended violence order for the protection of Ms Russo.

'Domestic violence is a scourge on our community,' the magistrate told the court.

'It is an offence for which the court needs to send a strong message to the community and offenders that this will not be tolerated.'

The legal battle comes less than a year after Mr Williams announced his shock resignation from Channel 9 after 16 years with the broadcaster.

At the time, the 59-year-old explained he was stepping back from work to focus on his health and his family.

He did not make any comment as he impassively left the court.