Judge ‘exasperated’ by man who assaulted mother of his child

A Portadown man who assaulted the mother of his child after an “argument that went too far” has been sentenced to two years on probation.

A judge told the 35-year-old she wished she could prevent him from seeing the child until they were an adult.

Alastair Thomas Mullen, of Bleary Road, pleaded guilty to common assault and criminal damage at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

It was heard that on July 15 a verbal argument had broken out between the defendant and his then partner – the complainant.

Mullen then pulled the injured party by the hair, into the kitchen, before holding her arms behind her back and pushing her.

In the process, the victim’s clothing and jewellery were damaged.

The attack then continued into the living room of the property, where Mullen sat astride the injured party and poked her in the temples.

Police were then called, and the court heard that during an interview the defendant made “certain admissions”.

Defence solicitor John McAtamney stated that this was an “argument that went too far”.

District Judge Bernie Kelly said Mullen’s pre-sentence report showed no remorse as he was “entertaining the thought of contact with his child”.

She stated: “He gave no thought to how this would affect the child, not to mention the mother of this child.

“I wish I could change the law so that men like this have no contact with their children until they are adults”.

Mr McAtamney told the court the defendant had not seen his child since the incident.

Judge Kelly retorted: “And rightfully so, this was quite a nasty incident,

“I am exasperated by men who plead guilty to assaulting their partners, who are also the mothers of their children, expecting to pick up where they left off”.

Mullen was sentenced to two years of probation.

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