South Derry man convicted of pushing wife and sending her 'unsavoury' messages jailed for two months

Fifty-five-year-old Jaroslaw Brussy, of The Spires, Magherafelt, was convicted of common assault, harassment, and persistent improper use of a communications network to cause anxiety, on dates between June 1 2024 and April 2 last year.

Sentencing him at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Judge Conor Heaney said he was familiar with the facts of the case having heard the contest, and they did not need to be opened to the court.

The judge put in place a two-year restraining order protecting the injured party from harassment.

He also ruled that the defendant does not contact the victim save for facilitating child contact, and is forbidden to intimidate or threaten violence against her.

The judge remarked that the defendant's attitude had caused the court concern. He said Brussy had pushed the injured party and had sent her unsavoury messages which must have been distressing for her to read.

A defence lawyer said Brussy continued to deny all the charges. He said the couple had been 30 years in a relationship and were married in 1998.

Counsel stressed the defendant does not have any previous convictions in this jurisdiction.

The lawyer said Brussy would say that he was “not in the right space of mind” at time of sending the messages.

Counsel added that the defendant was not prepared to do Probation or Community Service.

Judge Heaney said the court could not extend any credit to the defendant who contested the charges and caused the victim to recall the experience.