A Craigavon man who struck his wife in the face has been sentenced to five months in prison, despite a withdrawal statement being made in the case.
The 56-year-old’s solicitor told court: “He has been in custody longer than the equivalent of a six month sentence. We had attempted to have the matter dealt with a lot of times before today.”
Anthony Joseph Hughes, of Hillcrest Mews, appeared for sentencing on one count of common assault at Craigavon Magistrates’, sitting at Lisburn, on Friday via videolink from Maghaberry.
Prosecution outlined that on May 10, police received a report of a domestic incident at an address in Craigavon.
Officers spoke to the injured party who claimed that her husband, the defendant, had hit her on the face. A redness was observed to the left side of her face.
Hughes was subsequently arrested and taken into custody, where he denied the allegation of assault.
Defence solicitor Conor Downey stated: “He fully accepts assaulting his wife. There had been a withdrawal statement made in May. Regardless of this he accepts that he did wrong.
“He has been in custody longer than the equivalent of a six month sentence. We had attempted to have the matter dealt with a lot of times before today.”
District Judge Rosie Watters commented: “There is no alternative but to impose an immediate period of custody.”
Hughes was sentenced to five months in prison.
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