Co Armagh pensioner (73) who pushed his partner causing her to stumble is jailed at Craigavon court
A Co Armagh pensioner in his 70s, who pushed his partner causing her to stumble, has been given a jail term.
The 73-year-old appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court via video link from Maghaberry Prison.
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Gerald Maguire, of Drumnamoe Gardens, Lurgan pleaded guilty to the common assault of a woman with the domestic violence aggravator.
The court heard that on October 22 this year police attended following a ‘report of a domestic’ between the defendant and the injured party, a prosecutor outlined.
“Police spoke with the injured party who alleged he arrived at her home address after he was put out of his daughter’s house for his alcohol consumption and asked her for his bank card which he had previously lent to her to get petrol,” said the prosecutor.
After asking to get her handbag for her to get her purse, the defendant “became aggressive towards her, shouting, getting up into her face”.
He stood up from a chair and pushed her on the shoulder causing her to stumble, the court heard.
After he was arrested Maguire told police he ‘was mad at the time’.
Maguire’s solicitor, Mr Philip Reid, said his client has already served three weeks in custody as he was unable to perfect a bail address.
Mr Reid acknowledged that “any domestic violence by its very nature is serious”. He did point out that “a push was at the lower end”.
He said his client has family support.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said it could be regarded as “low level” but “I hope no one takes that in a pejorative way as it amounts to a push on the shoulder followed by some aggressiveness”.
"Domestic violence carries with it disrespect, hurt and breach of trust. That is why it is so serious,” he said.
"This man is in his 70s, he has no record and admitted it at the time and entered a plea at the very first opportunity,” said the district judge.
He sentenced Maguire to one month in jail which includes the domestic violence aggravator.
“I imagine from this he has learned a very salutory lesson,” said the district judge.
He also issued a Restraining Order of six months which includes a no-contact order in relation to the victim.