Enniskillen Court House, RMGFH04
A BELANALECK man who said he gave his partner of 15 years “a bitch slap” after she became “narky” after they had been at a local pub has been two years probation.
Vincent Fox (60) of Mallard Heights, Belanaleck pleaded guilty to common assault at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday.
The incident happened on February 22 after the couple, who are no longer together, were drinking together. Shortly after midnight on February 23, police received a call from Fox’s partner, who said he had “beaten her up.” The woman said she and Fox had been arguing while at the bar over his belongings, and when they returned home he shoved her against a wall and slapped her in the face. She said she felt scared and decided to call the police.
Fox was arrested for common assault and admitted to police he and his partner had been arguing at the bar. He said she had been “narky” with him, and that he had given her “a bitch slap” using the tips of his fingers. Fox said he knew he shouldn’t have done it.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said the term “bitch slap” was “very derogatory” and “shouldn’t be used by anyone to describe any action.” He said the term “belies a certain attitude by the defendant.”
Defence barrister Stephen Fitzpatrick said the couple had been together for 15 years but their relationship had deteriorated, and a restraining order was now in place against the defendant.
Judge Broderick said the court took a “very dim view” of domestic violence. Sentencing him to two years probation, the judge also order Fox to complete the “better relationships” programme and warned him if he did not comply with the order he would be brought back before the court for further sentencing.
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