Man who headbutted woman leaving ‘gash’ to her eyebrow jailed for eight months

A Newry man who headbutted a woman leaving her with a ‘gash’ to her eyebrow has been sentenced to eight months in prison.

The 31-year-old’s barrister told court: “He does have difficulties with alcohol but that is in no way an excuse for what unfolded. In sobriety he has shown immediate shame and regret.”

Nicholas Martin Parkes, of John Mitchel Street, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and resisting police at the city’s Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday via videolink from Maghaberry,

Prosecution outlined that on June 15, of this year, the injured party reported that she had been assaulted by the defendant on June 9.

Officers observed that the female had a black eye and a cut to one of her eyebrows.

On June 8, she stated that Parkes and a mutual friend had attended her home and they spent most of the day drinking.

At some point, the defendant became aggressive towards her and the other party present.

The injured party stated that Parkes had punched her to the face on June 9, at around 1.40pm.

All three then left the property to attend the home of another friend,  and whilst there the injured party left the room to go to the bathroom.

Parkes followed her and headbutted her, leaving a gash near her left eyebrow.

The injured party told police she was unsure why the assault had occurred and she had attended hospital for treatment.

Parkes was arrested and during interview denied the allegations.

Entering a guilty plea at the first opportunity, defence barrister Bobbie Rea described this as a “new low” for his client.

He stated: “He does have difficulties with alcohol but that is in no way an excuse for what unfolded. In sobriety he has shown immediate shame and regret.”

Mr Rea added that the defendant had “little recollection” of the incident and had spent the equivalent of a six month sentence on remand.

District Judge Eamon King stated: “Mr Parkes is no stranger to this court, he has amassed 157 previous. There was opportunity for optimism around 2014 when we did not see Mr Parkes for a period but there has since been a downward spiral which is a concern to the court.”

The defendant was sentenced to eight months in prison for the offences before the court.

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