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Armagh man punched partner in the face then later threatened her to drop the case

Defendant's now ex-partner was left with broken tooth and bruising around her mouth

Police prison

An Armagh man who left his now ex-partner with a broken tooth and bruising around her mouth after punching her has been sentenced to six-and-a-half months in prison.

And court heard that the 28-year-old later called the injured party threatening her unless she dropped her case against him.

Paul Cassidy, of Cathedral Road, pleaded guilty to witness intimidation and assault causing actual bodily harm at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Court heard that on September 3 police were contacted by the injured party who said she had been assaulted by the defendant in May.

She told officers that on May 11 she had returned home from a night out after receiving a phone call from her then partner, Cassidy.

An altercation arose between the two at the house where the defendant punched the injured party in the face with a closed fist leaving her with a broken tooth and bruising around her mouth.

Court then heard that on September 17 Cassidy called the injured party at around 8pm at a Craigavon Area Hospital ward.

He told the victim: “If you don’t drop the case you will soon see…”

When asked what he meant by this he said that she would see him “get his revenge”.

And when asked how he knew where she was Cassidy stated: “I have ways of knowing where you are.”

The injured party was scared by the call and as a result called police.

The defendant was arrested at the Simon Community Hostel, on Linen Hall Street, Armagh.

During interview Cassidy denied the assault on May 11 saying he could not remember the events of the evening as he had been drinking.

Defence barrister David McKeown said the defendant was “deeply ashamed” of his actions and accepted the charges.

District Judge Bernie Kelly told Cassidy “these are serious matters” as he was sentenced to six-and-a-half months in prison.

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