A man who assaulted a woman as she attempted to leave his property has been sentenced to 12 months probation.
The 40-year-old’s solicitor told court: “The way he described it to probation and during interview, is that he prevented her from leaving, he didn’t want her to go and that quickly escalated.”
Mihai Palade, of Thomas Street in Portadown, appeared for sentencing on common assault and criminal damage at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on May 4, at 9.30pm, the injured party attended Lurgan police station reporting that she was the victim of a domestic related assault.
She told police that she had been drinking with her friend, the defendant, at his home address. Shortly after midnight, the injured party stated that she wanted to leave and made her way to the living room door.
Palade prevented her from leaving by standing in front of the door. She attempted to edge the door open getting her left hand and knee through.
The defendant then pushed the door trapping her knee and hand, she managed to get to the front door but he once more blocked her path.
Again, the injured party wedged her arm and leg through the front door and once more Palade pushed the door crushing them.
The defendant then pushed the female to the ground. The injured party returned to the house when things calmed down to get cleaned up; she was bleeding from her nose and mouth.
Defence solicitor Ruairi Gillen stated that his client accepted that the actions he admitted committing during interview constituted the offences for which he was found guilty.
He explained: “The way he described it to probation and during interview, is that he prevented her from leaving, he didn’t want her to go and that quickly escalated.
“What happened was that there’s been a bit of pushing and shoving, he says that she also pushed him but he accepts that self-defence is not something he could rely on in these proceedings.”
Mr Gillen continued: “The relationship has not continued albeit they are still friendly….they had both taken alcohol on the night in question. Your worship is entitled to draw an inference in terms of the relationship being repaired by the fact the injured party did not come to give evidence.”
He added that his client’s conviction was based on his admissions during interview, at which point he was not legally represented.
District Judge Bernie Kelly stated: “Mr Palade, domestic violence is considered a very serious matter. I find it somewhat disconcerting that you refer in your presentence report to your actions as normal.
“Now you appear before this court with no previous record, the injured party in this case did not attend to give evidence and you have been convicted based solely upon your admissions when interviewed.”
Palade was ordered to complete a probation order for a period of 12 months.
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