An Armagh man who punched a woman following an argument, leaving her with a number of injuries, has been given community service and probation orders.
Jonathan Stewart William Crowe, of Tyross Gardens, appeared before Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry Courthouse this week.
The 32-year-old was charged with one count of common assault and appeared before the court for sentencing, having entered a plea of guilty.
The court heard that on July 7 of this year, police attended a report of an assault on an injured party by the defendant.
The injured party claimed that the defendant had punched her after a verbal argument at an address in Armagh.
On arrival, police observed that the injured party had a “swollen lip, broken skin to the inside of the lip, along with bruising around the nose area”.
She gave an account of the incident to the police, explaining she had been punched by the defendant after a verbal altercation, and that the defendant subsequently made off.
The defendant was arrested that night and taken to Dungannon custody suite, where he gave a no comment interview.
The court also heard that a restraining order was sought in favour of the injured party.
Crowe’s defence solicitor said that the incident was one for which his client has “a fairly high degree of remorse”.
“Whatever the heated argument, debate or provocation was between them, clearly he shouldn’t have resorted to violence,” said defence.
“He does, in the cold light of day, accept and understand that.”
Defence added that, based on the record of the defendant, “this lashing out on this particular date does appear to be out of character”.
Deputy District Judge Laura Ievers said that this incident was of “significant concern”.
“I know it is a matter of regret to you what happened and that comes through as part of the pre-sentence report,” Deputy District Judge Ievers said.
“The best way forward, in the view of the court, is by way of an enhanced combination order.”
To this end, Deputy District Judge Ievers imposed a period of 40 hours community service, combined with 12 months probation.
“That will include an additional requirement that you are to engage with probation services and participate actively in any alcohol or drug counselling or treatment programme and comply with any instructions that are given to you by the person in charge,” she explained.
“If it’s revoked, the court’s sentencing powers reopen again and there’s potential for dealing with you in another way.”
A restraining order was also made against the defendant for a 12 month period, with this measure being deemed “necessary and proportionate”.
It means Crowe is prohibited from “harassing, pestering or molesting” the injured party, and from using or threatening to use violence against them.
