A Magherafelt man who punched his former pregnant girlfriend twice in the stomach has been freed on a suspended sentence.

20-year-old Richard Fullerton was cleared last month of the more serious charge of assaulting his former girlfriend in February 2010 with intent to procure a miscarriage after the prosecution offered no further evidence, when he admitted the lesser charge of common assault.

Antrim Crown Court Judge Desmond Marrinam spoke today that what Fullerton had done was “despicable” for which he rightly felt shame and remorse.

Defence lawyer Mr Michael Ford said that, when told of the pregnancy, a young Fullerton had hit out in a momentary lapse of self-control, and has been candid enough to acknowledge that, having panicked and lashed out, his actions were unacceptable and reckless.

Judge Marrinan, in suspending Fullerton’s two month detention sentence for a year, said his hand was “stayed”, given his clear record, guilty plea and positive reports showing he was actually growing into a decent young man.

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