Man lost two stone during ‘horrendous time in prison’

A Cookstown man who was said to have assaulted his wife on two occasions during lockdown, was given a four-month jail sentence, suspended for three years, at East Tyrone Magistrates Court sitting in Omagh on Friday.

Forty-eight-year-old Peter Hughes from Drumcree admitted two counts of common assault on May 22 and 25.

Passing sentence, District Judge Michael Ranaghan remarked that the defendant has a history of domestic violence and his three children had witnessed the violence against their mother.

“What he did could have long lasting consequences for the children going forward,” said the judge.

A defence lawyer described the defendant as a ‘deaf-mute’ who had lost two stone in weight while he was confined for six weeks in prison, as he had no address to reside.

“Not being able to talk and hear in prison had been horrendous for him,” he said.

The lawyer said while he did not seek to condone domestic violence, he said the defendant had also been assaulted in the incidents, which he described as “slapping about”.

He pointed out the incidents were not reported to the police until May 26 and no injuries were referred to apart from a redness to an area of the body and there had been no medical intervention.

Continuing, the lawyer said the relationship was now over and the defendant had no contact with the injured party and has consumed no alcohol.

He explained that his brother had “kept him under his wing” and found him somewhere to reside.

The lawyer said his son was moving in with him and he had access to his other children.

“For the first time in his life he can see a positive future for himself,” he said.

He said there was no contact between the parties and there was no risk of any further offending.

A prosecuting lawyer said Hughes had two previous convictions for domestic violence the last in 2016 when he received a three-month sentence suspended for two years.

District Judge Ranaghan said he had no doubt the custody threshold was breached in the case as incidents of domestic violence attract a high starting point.

He said that it was particularly worrying that Hughes has a history of domestic violence.

Mr Ranaghan said he would give him enhanced credit for entering an early plea, and that he is dealing with his alcohol problem.

He said he would also give him credit for being in an ongoing relationship with his children.

However, the judge stressed that the court has to act as a deterrent and he would suspend the sentence to the maximum period of three years.