County Derry man had 'no memory' of assault on his wife

A 65-year-old County Derry man threw his wife under the bed after mixing Special Brew with his diabetes medication, a court has heard.

Patrick McTeague, of Moneyneany Lane, Draperstown, appeared for sentencing at Magherafelt Magistrates Court this afternoon on charges of common assault and criminal damage.

The court heard that police had been tasked to Bellaghy around 6.50pm on July 25 2021 following reports of a domestic incident.

On arrival the injured party appeared 'distressed' and told police she had been assaulted by her husband.

She said that he had assaulted her on July 15 2021 by grabbing her and causing bruising to her left chest area, and that he had grabbed her again on July 25 and thrown her under the bed.

Police noted a bruise on the injured party's left arm and a rip to her T-shirt and arrested the defendant for common assault.

During his arrest and transportation to custody, McTeague became aggressive and spat in the rear of the police vehicle.

At interview, he told police he had no memory of the incident as he had been drinking 'Special Brew' while taking his diabetes medication and had a 'black out'.

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The 22-year-old was fined for possession of Class A drugs.

When asked by police if he had flicked lit cigarettes at his wife, he replied: “Yes, well not really at her, just across the room.”

Defence for McTeague said it was an 'upsetting case', that the defendant had been married to his wife for 42 years and was 'full of remorse' for the incident.

They said it was clear that alcohol played a part in the offence and the fact he had entered a guilty plea despite a withdrawal statement from the injured party showed his remorse.

Judge Mullan said the courts 'would not tolerate' domestic violence 'in any shape or form' and said it was a serious and all-to-common offence.

She said the fact the couple had been married for a considerable time made the incident particularly distasteful, and that the domestic context was an aggravating factor.

The judge gave the defendant some credit for his guilty plea as it had spared his wife the 'ordeal of a court contest.

She sentenced McTeague to five months' imprisonment, suspended for a period of two years for the charges of common assault and criminal damage.

A restraining order was also imposed on the defendant for a period of two years.

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A judge issued fines of £500 to the defendant for the offences.