A Craigavon man who punched his wife in the face after calling her a “tart” and a “whore” has been sentenced to six months in prison.
The 56-year-old’s solicitor told court: “They have been married for over 30 years and this is the first time anything like this has ever happened.”
Anthony Joseph Hughes, of Hillcrest Mews, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where he appeared via videolink from Maghaberry.
Defence solicitor Siun Downey indicated that her client wished to waive his right to a pre-sentence report and had been in custody since the date of the offence.
Prosecution outlined that on December 12, police received a report of a domestic incident at an address in Hillcrest Mews, Craigavon.
Outside the property, officer spoke to the injured party who indicated her husband, the defendant, had locked her out and gone to an upstairs room.
To gain access to the home, police were forced to climb through an open window into the living room.
The injured party stated that she had been having a disagreement with Hughes, during which he called her a ‘tart’ and a ‘whore’.
She then went outside to have a smoke when she was approached by the defendant who punched her on the right side of her face close to her eye.
Police observed significant bruising and swelling to the right eye of the injured party.
Hughes was subsequently arrested and officers took a statement from his wife as well as photographs of her injuries.
Ms Downey said it was an incident “fuelled by alcohol”.
She added: “There has been a five year gap in offending for Mr Hughes. They have been married for over 30 years and this is the first time anything like this has ever happened.
“He would like to apologise to police. As you heard they had to climb in through a window as he had locked the door.
“There are some relevant entries on his record but these were not in a domestic setting. He made admissions in interview and wants this dealt with as he is not a man who has spent his later years in custody.”
District Judge Steven Keown said: “This was a very serious incident, with significant injury and it is a domestic assault.
“This is not his first assault occasioning actual bodily harm but I do accept there has been a gap in his offending.”
Hughes was sentenced to six months in prison for the offence.
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