A Lurgan man who breached a restraining order by threatening his wife has been jailed for five months.
Anthony Joseph James Hughes, of Shankill Street, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, via videolink from Maghaberry.
The 60-year-old was charged with breaching a restraining order.
The court heard on September 2 last year, police received a report from the victim, who alleged that her husband was being aggressive and she was in fear.
The defendant had a restraining order against him imposed on July 8, 2022, which is in effect until July this year, stipulating that he must not harass or pester the victim.
He was arrested and interviewed, stating that he remembered very little of the incident as he was intoxicated.
On September 21, the 999 call recording was put to him at interview and he stated that both he and the victim were “highly intoxicated”. He denied hitting the victim as mentioned on the call.
When asked if he had said, “you’re f***ed when I get you, big time”, he replied, “I shouldn’t have said that”, before replying ‘no comment’ to the rest of the questions.
After the facts of the case were outlined, a defence lawyer commented: “It’s so unfortunate the comments that Mr Hughes had made to his wife to whom he has been married for over 30 years.”
He added that the defendant had been on bail, which was breached on November 30. He was again re-admitted to bail, which was again breached over the Christmas period.
The defence continued: “The last number of entries on his record, those would all refer to domestic incidents.
“In a paradoxical way, both he and his wife rely heavily upon each other. Unfortunately, both are chronic alcoholics.”
He added that the defendant’s wife wishes to have the restraining order discharged and this process is underway.
District Judge Rafferty said: “The bottom line is this. I can’t give him any less than he got the last time, but I won’t give him any more.”
He sentenced Hughes to five months in custody.
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