Derry judge slams 'appalling conduct' of dismissed PSNI officer in abuse case

A former police constable who was sacked from the PSNI last month after he pleaded guilty to a single charge of subjecting his then partner to a prolonged period of domestic abuse, has been sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for three years, at the Derry Magistrate's Court. 

Kyle Millar, (28,) whose address on the charge sheet was given as PSNI Headquarters at Knock Road in Belfast, had admitted subjecting his then partner to domestic abuse on dates between February 21, 2022 and March 6, 2023.

Millar, who had been suspended on full pay since his offending was reported two years ago, had been in a relationship with his victim for one year and seven months when the abuse occurred.

At a previous court hearing last month a prosecution solicitor told District Judge Oonagh Mullan that Millar constantly verbally abused his victim, regularly  insulted her, threatened to disclose private photographs of her and on one occasion pushed her causing her to fall and hit her head off a bedside locker.

The court heard Millar was a gambling addict who asked the victim for money many times to fund his addiction and she gave him between £5,000 and £6,000.

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It was also said the victim was ‘constantly mentally tortured by him and he threatened her if she reported it or sought any help.’

Imposing the eight month suspended sentence, District Judge Mullan told Millar ‘this was an extremely unfortunate set of circumstances both for the victim and the defendant to find themselves in such a situation.’

She added that It was stressful for the injured party and has had a huge impact on her mental health. 

Judge Mullan said the woman is still struggling to move forward and was also still receiving treatment because of the mental health difficulties which have occurred as a result of this offending.

She told Millar: “It was a very unfortunate incident which has impacted on both of you. The injured party was subjected to treatment by you which she should not have been subjected to. 

“Because of that you are now in an unfortunate situation in that you are no longer in employment", she said.