Suspended sentence for man who struck his former partner on the head with a child's guitar

A man struck his former partner on the head with a child's guitar causing a wound that required paper stitches and glue, Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.

Gary David Harper (50) of Ebrington Street in Derry admitted assaulting occasioning actual bodily harm on his former partner on June 17.

The court heard the injured party reported to them she had been assaulted by Harper around 10pm on that date. 

She told police the accused had care of the daughter and she suspected he had been drinking so a verbal argument ensued on the phone.

She then got a taxi to his address and the defendant appeared waving the child's guitar before striking her with it.

When interviewed Harper made admissions. 

Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said his client had shown remorse in his pre-sentence report.

Harper was given an eight month sentence suspended for three years, ordered to pay £750 in compensation and had a Restraining Order imposed for a period of two years.