A Lurgan man who left his mother in “constant fear” and “sought to control her every move” will learn of his fate later this week.
District Judge Bernie Kelly warned that the sentencing exercise on Friday, June 16 would result in an “immediate custodial sentence”, but was adjourning the case until then to clarify if a Violent Offences Prevention Order (VOPO) can be imposed.
Reuben John Glen, of Colban Crescent, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court, via videolink from Maghaberry.
The 33-year-old is charged with two counts of common assault, three counts of theft, criminal damage, a domestic abuse offence, resisting police and possession of a Class C controlled drug.
For the theft offences, Glen was informed that he had the right to have the case heard in the Crown Court before a jury, or in the Magistrates’ Court. He replied that he wished for the case to be heard in the Magistrates’ Court.
When asked to enter his plea to the theft charges, he replied: ‘guilty’. Guilty pleas were then entered for the remaining charges.
On hearing the case, District Judge Kelly noted that the defendant had been in custody since April 20.
Defence Counsel explained that the injured party in the case is the defendant’s mother, with whom he has a “really complex relationship” that may well be “irreparably damaged”.
The court was told that on April 18 this year, police received a report from the defendant’s mother, who said that she was “living in fear” and “under the control of” her son.
Police spoke with the injured party who provided a statement containing various allegations. She said that since he had been released from prison he had “sought to control her every move” and left her “constantly in fear of him”.
An example of this was that he would take her to the shop and lift money out of her accounts, leaving her with nothing. She stated that she had over £3,000 in savings before he had returned from prison, but was now divested of this.
He would also be physically and verbally abusive to her, calling her names such as “whore” and “slut” and that he would threaten to smash her head in.
She also alleged that she was not allowed to have any friends. He was said to follow her everywhere she went and didn’t allow her to speak to anyone she knew. She also stated that he would grab her and drag her from her bed.
She outlined that he would accompany her to the chemist for her prescriptions, but that he would immediately take her medication for himself. On one occasion, he took her bank card without her permission and took £60 from her account.
She went on to state that on April 15 and April 18, he had dragged her from her bed, demanding money and leaving marks on her arms. She added that on both of those occasions he was in her face “shouting and swearing”, causing spit to go in her face and making threats to smash her head in. He had also ripped the bedroom door off its hinges and punched holes in the door.
As a result of this the defendant was arrested. A post-arrest search then uncovered two Diazepam tablets in his drawer.
On hearing the facts of the case, District Judge Kelly questioned if it was possible for her to impose a Violent Offence Prevention Order (VOPO), as the domestic abuse offence before the court is a new offence.
She stated that the Section One domestic abuse offence was going to attract a “significant custodial sentence”.
District Judge Kelly decided to adjourn sentencing to Friday, to give the prosecution time to look at the legislation.
“In addition to whatever sentence I impose, I would like to impose something that would provide protection for this lady because ultimately Mr Glen will be released at some point.”
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