Dungiven man threatened to kill partner by 'cutting her from ear to ear', court told

A man has been sentenced to eight months in prison after being convicted of a catalogue of offences, including domestic abuse and false imprisonment.

David Sharp appeared via video-link before Limavady Magistrates Court this morning (Wednesday) from Maghaberry Prison where he has been on remand since August.

The 38 year-old, of Main Street in Dungiven, was charged with committing domestic abuse on dates between October 1 2023 and August 1 2024.

He was further charged with making threats to kill and criminal damage between the same dates.

Sharp also faced two counts of common assault on July 31 2024 and August 1 2024 and two counts of false imprisonment on July 31 2024 and August 2 2024.

A charge of assault, causing actual bodily harm, on dates between November 1 2023 and November 30 2023 was also before the court.

A prosecutor, who outlined the case, stated that the injured party was a female who had been in a relationship with the defendant.

Police were contacted on July 31 by a neighbour of the injured party who claimed that she had approached him and asked if she could use his phone as she was being domestically abused by her partner, Sharp.

The woman, who claimed that Sharp had threatened to kill her and her family, had visible bruising on her face and stated that her body was also bruised.

The court heard that the injured party claimed that she had been in a relationship with Sharp for ten months and that he had beaten her up about 15 times during that period.

She stated that Sharp took things off her such as her hair straighteners and make-up and he didn't allow her to leave the house.

The court heard that the injured party claimed that Sharp had threatened to kill her by 'cutting her from ear to ear' and had made threats to kill her parents.

The woman also alleged that Sharp had locked her in a room and had recorded it before threatening to show it to other people.

On one occasion, Sharp is alleged to have pulled her by the hair while she was sitting on the toilet and he reportedly kicked her in the pubic bone and the upper thigh on another occasion.

The woman claimed that Sharp had told her he would kill her if she went to the police.

The court also heard that on August 2, the injured party's neighbour contacted police again stating that he could hear an ongoing disturbance in the property.

When police arrived, they observed Sharp jumping out of the bathroom window.

On August 5, Sharp presented himself to police and during interview he denied all offences.

He claimed that the injured party is an 'alcoholic and cocaine addict' and that he was in fact a victim of abuse however he had decided not to report it to police.

Sharp's barrister, Dean Mooney, said that his client has been on remand in Maghaberry for the last 16 weeks and that the injured party in the case has never recorded an official statement with the police.

District Judge Peter King described the details outlined by the PPS as 'harrowing' and sentenced Sharp to eight months in custody.

In addition, he imposed a restraining order which prevents Sharp from contacting the injured party for two years.