Derry Court: Judge says 'Violence or abuse towards women is not tolerated in this city'

An Indian national who arrived in this country in May has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrate's Court today for assaulting his wife and engaging in a course of domestic abuse.

Mahesh Thankappan Puthenparambil (43) of Emerson Street in Derry appeared charged with assaulting his wife on August 16 and the offence is aggravated by domestic abuse.

He was also charged with engaging in a course of behaviour that constitutes domestic abuse on dates between May 1 and August 16 this year.

The court heard that police were called to a report by a third party that the injured party had been beaten by her husband the defendant.

The reporting party said the couple had been at a party and had left but a short time later the injured party returned and was described as 'scared and shivery'.

While the woman was being comforted by the reporting party the defendant also returned and slapped the woman on her face.

In a conversation between the reporting party and the defendant in their native language which was videoed and then translated the defendant spoke of other incidents.

The injured party 'begged' police not to arrest her husband as she feared 'repercussions' and that he would 'beat her as this was the culture.'

Defence solicitor Keith Kyle asked the court to deal with the defendant today as he had no bail address.

He said he realised the court had few options either custody or suspended custody.

The solicitor said that 'thankfully' there had been no injuries to the woman.

He added that there was no history between the two and said the woman did not want a Restraining Order imposed.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that the woman should know there were many people in this city who will help someone being abused.

He told the defendant 'violence or abuse towards women is not tolerated in this city'.

He imposed a sentence of 6 months suspended for 2 years.