Man with Maghera address accused ex-partner of cheating and suggested she take a lie detector test, court told
A man installed two cameras at an address to try and catch his former partner cheating, a court was told.
Grzegorz Cadler, aged 49, of Hawthorne Mews, Maghera, was placed on probation for two years and ordered to carry out 80 hours of community service for a domestic abuse offence.
Magherafelt Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday that between February 21, 2022, and December 3, 2024, the defendant engaged in a course of behaviour that was abusive to another person which was likely to cause her to suffer physical or psychological harm.
Passing sentence, District Judge Conor Heaney said the defendant had caused anxiety and fear to the victim as a result of his actions while in a relationship with her.
He said he also regarded the involvement of a child in the offending as an aggravating factor and a matter of significant concern to the court.
The judge ordered Cadler to pay £500 compensation to the victim “as a token” for what she has been through.
He also imposed a two-year restraining order.
The court heard that on December 3, 2024, police received a report from the injured party regarding allegations of domestic abuse by her ex-partner.
The prosecuting lawyer said the injured party alleged Cadler had often accused her of cheating and called her a ‘whore’, sometimes in front of her child.
She said Cadler had suggested to her on several occasions to take a lie detector test, and had two cameras installed at the address to try and catch her cheating.
Counsel added that police later interviewed the defendant regarding the allegations.
A defence lawyer stressed there has been “nothing of concern” since the offending which he pointed out happened sometime ago.
He explained that the cameras were not located in any private area and there had been no images recorded.
Counsel said there was still contact between the parties in terms of the child, but there has been no attempt to revive the relationship.
The defendant now realised that as the relationship was deteriorating and breaking down this had been no way to deal with a domestic issue, he said.
He added that the Cadler had managed to obtain employment as a part-time butcher and asked the court to take this into account.