Suspended jail for husband who hit wife in the eye

Dilevka Aivars, 37, from Drumflugh Road, appeared at Dungannon Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

The court heard how on June 5, police arrested Aivars after he confessed to hitting his wife in the eye while drunk. He claimed that it was the first time he had attacked her in their five years of marriage. Defence solicitor Jarlath Faloon said his client was hoping to return to the matrimonial home by the end of September, and that he was anxious about going to jail.

Judge John Meehan pointed out that the probation report indicated that Aivars showed a lack of remorse, and thus a probation order would have no effect on him.

“This was a strong punch and not a slap as you claim,” said the judge. He went on to remonstrate Aivars for exposing his two children, now on the child protection list, to the domestic violence.