Derry Court: Suspended sentence for man 'exposed for the thuggery he had imposed on his partner'

A man who a judge said thought he was 'ruling the roost but was now exposed for the thuggery he had imposed on his partner' has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrate's Court today.

Christopher McCarter (26) of Rossdale in Derry faced four charges of assault and one charge of engaging in course of action that was domestic abuse between June 16 and June 29 last year.

The court heard that the injured party told police about incidents when the defendant pulled her hair and on another occasion grabbed her by the cheeks.

Deputy District Judge Trevor Browne said that the assaults had not been proved but the defendant had engaged in a course of conduct where he tried to establish 'his physical dominance over his partner.'

McCarter was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for 18 months.