Hit the mother of his child on the head

Sentencing in the case was put back until early next year with the judge telling the defendant she expected to see ‘a new you’ instead of ‘the bully he is’ or he would be going to prison.

Stuart Paul Wilson (28), Victoria Grove, Dollingstown, faced charges of assault and criminal damage to spindles and a door frame. The case had been adjourned so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

Craigavon Magistrates Court heard last Wednesday that on March 29 this year at 2.20am police were called to an address in Lurgan following a report of a male causing a disturbance.

They found Wilson pacing up and down the hallway. He was bare-chested and had blood on his hands and face. He refused to leave the house and had to be restrained in the hallway. The injured party who was upstairs with a six-month-old baby was in a distressed state.

She said that Wilson had wanted to see the child but she refused and he forced his way in before hitting her on the head and face several times. He then punched doors and kicked spindles on the stairs, breaking them.

Wilson had contested the matter and was convicted on the evidence of police officers. His partner did not give evidence.

A barrister representing the defendant said he had been drinking all day at a football match with friends. He had been at his parents’ house when he decided he wanted to see his child.

She added that Wilson accepted that he slapped the injured party and in a temper damaged the spindles and the door frame.

The barrister said that the defendant financially provided for his partner and child and they would hope to reconcile but he realised he had to address his alcohol and anger issues. She pointed out that Wilson accepted the likelihood of custody was very high.

District Judge, Mrs Bernie Kelly deferred sentencing telling the defendant she wanted to see a complete ‘sea change’ and she wanted him to stop being ‘the bully he is’ and to stand up and be a man.

The judge said the case crossed the custody threshold and told Wilson he was ‘a nasty piece’ who had to change if he did not want to go to prison. She deferred sentencing until January 6 next year and wanted an updated pre-sentence report. “If I don’t see a new you in January you are going to prison,” she told him. “If I do then I will give consideration to a community disposal.”