Suspended sentence for Strabane man who assaulted pregnant girlfriend
25-year-old admits to grabbing girlfriend's neck during an argument over text messages.
A man has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court charged with assaulting his pregnant girlfriend.
Josh Brennan (25) of Derry Road in Strabane was arrested on August 16 after his girlfriend reported that he had assaulted her after an argument where she suspected that he was texting other women.
Brennan was said to have started shouting and allegedly put his hands around the neck of the alleged injured party but did not apply pressure.
The alleged injured party was twenty-two weeks pregnant at the time of the alleged assault, and told police that Brennan had never raised his hand to her before, telling them that she believed he was under the influence of drink or drugs at the time.
When interviewed, Brennan initially claimed that the allegations were 'made up' but later pleaded guilty.
Defence solicitor John McManus said that Brennan had remained in contact with the mother of the alleged injured party and hoped to be present for his baby that is due in December.
District Judge Ted Magill said that the court took 'an extremely dim view' of domestic abuse, calling it 'a blight on society'.
He noted that there were no reported injuries in this case, and that Brennan had a clear record up to this point.
He was sentenced to three months in custody, suspended for two years, and a two year restraining order was put in place.