Co Tyrone man grabbed partner by the hair during early hours incident

A County Tyrone man grabbed his partner of 15 years by the hair and pushed her during a row in the early hours of the morning, a court has heard.

Pat Stokes (29), of Windsor Terrace, Coagh appeared for sentencing at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday on a single charge of common assault on August 13 2022.

The court heard police had attended reports of a verbal altercation between two males and two females on Garden Street, Magherafelt at around 12.45am.

Police observed the defendant grabbing his partner by the hair and pushing her, while the incident was also captured on bodyworn camera footage.

After his arrest, the defendant made no comment during police interview.

Defence for Stokes said he had described the incident as a 'moment of madness' and said he had 'lost his temper over something silly'.

They said the offence had occurred in the early hours of the morning when 'everyone had too much drink taken' and that the defendant regretted his behaviour.

Counsel said the defendant had 'mended his bridges' with his partner and has moderated his alcohol intake as a result of the incident.

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Judge Mullan said domestic violence was not to be tolerated and said she was concerned by the facts of the case.

She said the injured party – who did not give a statement to police - would have been fearful after being grabbed and pushed and that the behaviour was 'not acceptable'.

The judge sentenced the defendant to four months' imprisonment, suspended for a period of two years and warned the sentence would be activated if he appeared again before the court.