Suspended sentence for County Derry man who assaulted mother
Published 27th Jul 2026, 12:50 BST
District Judge Oonagh Mullan issues a 12-month suspended sentence despite condemning the defendant's behavior
A man has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court charged with assaulting his mother.
Jonathan Ballantine (32) of St. Lurachs Gardens in Maghera was charged after spitting at his mother through a window hitting her on the chin on July 25.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that Ballantine spat at her through a window and had pleaded guilty a the first opportunity.
He added that Ballantine is 'deeply remorseful', telling the court that the incident was simply 'a verbal disagreement that went too far'.
District Judge Oonagh Mullan called the incident 'appalling' and sentenced Ballantine to four months in custody, suspended for twelve months.