'You treated her like a rag doll' Craigavon judge tells a man (30) who headbutted a woman and dragged her around the bedroom
“You treated her like a rag doll,” a judge tells a man who headbutted a woman and dragged her around the bedroom.
The 30-year-old appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday for sentencing.
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Marius Rad, of Park View Close, Portadown, was charged with common assault and threatening or abusive behaviour. A threat to kill charge was withdrawn.
Police received a report of an “on-going domestic” at a house in Portadown.
The victim reported that at around 6.30am her ex-partner had “headbutted her approximately four times and dragged her around the bedroom of the property, grabbing her by the hair”.
The court heard the situation came about after the victim challenged the defendant about an alleged affair. “He became angry and volatile,” said the Prosecutor, adding the victim sustained a bump on the head and swelling to her face. He was arrested and made a ‘no comment’ interview.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan noted the threatening behaviour came after the headbutting incident when the defendant heard the victim call her sister and he then “threatened to get his family down”.
Rad’s barrister Mr Conor Lunny said that his client remains hopeful of a reconciliation with the victim adding he has a clear record bar one conviction for theft.
He said there is no history of domestic violence, adding: “I accept that Your Worship will treat this as a particularly serious case.”
Mr Lunny suggested alternatives to immediate custody. "He is a man who clearly has an issue with alcohol,” said the barrister.
He pointed to the footage. “The injured party was in a state of distress early in the morning. He was definitely in a state of distress and intoxication.”
He suggested that Probation may be able to work with his client. District Judge Michael Ranaghan described it as "very serious offending”.
"You treated your ex-partner disgracefully. You treated her like a rag doll. Then you decided to put your head onto her head on numerous occasions, causing a direct injury,” he said.
The District Judge also pointed to his clear record. He said short terms of imprisonment is not the best way to stop domestic violence.
He told Rad that if he breached his Probation he would be sent to prison for six months. He was given an 18-month Probation term and 100 hours Community Service.