Suspended sentence for Derry man following non-molestation order breaches
Gareth Browne (25) of Clon Elagh in Derry was initially charged on April 16 last year after police were called to a domestic incident by his former partner
A man has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrate's Court charged with assault, criminal damage and breaching a non-molestation order.
Gareth Browne (25) of Clon Elagh in Derry was initially charged on April 16 last year after police were called to a domestic incident by his former partner.
She said that Browne had come into her home and was acting aggressively, getting in her face and shouting at her.
He also grabbed her by the arm and said he was going to get their son from upstairs but left when the injured party called the police.
Following this, a non-molestation order was put in place and Browne was charged with breaching this on May 26 last year when he called the injured party multiple times, telling her he was going to 'cut her up'.
On May 28, the injured party received a number of phone calls from a number she didn't recognize that was later revealed to be Browne's brother.
Police arrested Browne and he admitted to making the phone calls but claimed that the injured party had been in contact with him first.
Police checked his phone and found that his former partner had contacted him in early April and not when he claimed.
Defence barrister Stephen Chapman said that there were 'no physical injuries' to Browne's former partner, pointing out that he has 'a limited record' and has not offended since May last year.
Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter told Browne that one of the difficulties in his case was that there were two sets of offences and he had initially pleaded not guilty to both.
He also noted that Browne had been previously convicted in his absence when he 'didn't even bother to come to court'.
He sentenced him to five months in custody, suspended for two years.