Derry man jailed for assaulting ex-partner while she held their child
Christopher Melaugh (35) sentenced to two months in custody and handed a two-year restraining order
A man who was convicted of assaulting his former partner on two occasions one of them occurring while she was holding their child has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today.
Christopher Melaugh (35) of Hatmore Park in Derry was convicted in September after a contest of two assaults on the same female on the night of June 5 and the early hours of June 6.
The court heard that Melaugh had gone to the woman's house uninvited at around 11.20pm while the child was sleeping.
During the course of the altercation he grabbed the woman by the ankle, shouted into her face and shouted at her while she was holding the child in her arms.
The defendant also spat in her face and punched her on the back.
In the end the woman had to run out of her house in her bare feet carrying her child where a neighbour phoned police.
Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said his client continued to deny his guilt despite the findings of the court and maintained his innocence.
He said he accepted he should not have gone to the house.
District Judge Suzanne Rice said the offences were aggravated by the fact that one of the assaults occurred while the woman was holding her child.
She said the assault had 'a significant impact' on the victim and said the offences were 'utterly reprehensible'.
The judge said the custody threshold had been crossed and jailed Melaugh for two months, imposed a Restraining Order for two years and ordered him to pay £350 in compensation.