A man who told police that it was “normal” for him to strike his mother has been sentenced to three months in prison.
Court heard that following his arrest, the 26-year-old told officers: “If I want to hit her, I will.”
Slavi Ivanov, of Ogle Street in Armagh, pleaded guilty to common assault and threats to kill at the city’s Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday via videolink from Maghaberry.
Prosecution outlined that on August 1, at 7.50pm, police were tasked to the home of Ivanov to the report of a domestic incident.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with the defendant’s mother, who appeared in a distressed state. She told police that Ivanov had struck her to the left side of her face, after she refused to give him money.
The injured party claimed that her son had also made a threat to kill her. Ivanov was not present at the time of police arrival but was arrested upon his return.
When interviewed, Ivanov denied striking his mother, claiming that he had stopped himself but accepted he had wanted to put her in fear.
He told police: “Why do you ask me questions and bring me to court for something normal? If I want to hit her, I will.”
Defence barrister Scott McWhinney stated: “I have explained to Mr Ivanov how his actions will look to the court….he has been in custody for three months which is the equivalent of a six month sentence.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly said: “Mr Ivanov, these are serious charges. The attitude expressed by you represents a wholly unacceptable attitude towards females.”
The defendant was sentenced to three months in prison for the offences.
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