Court hears a Larne man told a woman: 'I would just love to slit your throat'
A court was told a Larne man told his then wife: "I would just love to slit your f**king throat."
Details were given to Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday where Matthew Lamont (43), with an address listed as Ballyhampton Road, was sentenced. The defendant had been convicted of 'domestic abuse' after a contest.
A prosecutor said the defendant's wife said he had been "manipulative" and "controlling" and it had "escalated" and "both her and her mother lived in fear of the defendant due to his angry outbursts".
She was left "isolated from friends" and became "financially dependent" on him. "On a couple of occasions he had pushed her," said the prosecutor.
The court was told in April 2024 the defendant said to his wife: "I would just love to slit your f**king throat."
On other occasions he made derogatory remarks and told her: "I hate you". Being "in fear of violence" she "hid" in a room.
A defence barrister said the defendant wishes to appeal the conviction. He said the relationship had been "positive" for a number of years.
The barrister said following the death of his wife's father, her mother "moved in" with the couple and "tensions were raised within the household".
District Judge Nigel Broderick said the defendant's behaviour and remarks in the presence of a child were "disgraceful".
The judge said the "only thing saving" him from immediate prison was his clear record and "there is no domestic violence history".
As well as an eight-month prison term, suspended for three years, a two-year Restraining Order was also put in place.
The defendant was given £500 bail to appeal the conviction and sentence.