AN Irvinestown man who smashed a mirror and punched a woman in an ‘unsavoury’ attack has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Stephen Timlin (33) of Townhill Park, Irvinestown appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol in breath, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.
On September 23rd 2018 around 12.30am, police were called to a domestic incident at an address in Irvinestown to a report that a woman had been
assaulted.
The defendant had smashed a mirror by punching it, and then punched the defendant repeatedly, leaving her with injuries to her face which were observed by police.
The court heard that police observed a light blue coloured Vauxhall driving on Pound Street in Irvinestown, cross a roundabout at speed, moving towards the centre of the road and cutting across the junction without signalling, and was on the wrong side of the road for a short period of time.
The incident occurred around 2.30am and there was no other pedestrians or vehicles on the road who could have been put at risk.
When tested, Timlin returned a reading of 82 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35
micrograms.
Defence argued that the dangerous driving charge was reflected in the driving with excessive alcohol charge, but after hearing from the statements of police officers, District Judge Michael Ranaghan convicted Timlin of dangerous driving.
Apologising on behalf of his client defence barrister Stefan Rafferty said that he feels deep remorse, adding the incident was a one off which has cost him dearly.
Mr Rafferty explained the victim did not want the matter to proceed, and the incident was alcohol fuelled.
The court also heard there had been no issue with bail and both the defendant and the complainant wanted the matter dealt with as soon as possible.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said that the custody threshold had been more than breached, adding the defendant had no other option but to be ashamed, and it was a cowardly attack on the woman.
Judge Ranaghan said he was taking Timlin’s bail history into consideration but said he had to consider the victim’s future safety.
To mark the severity of the attack, Judge Ranaghan sentenced Timlin to eight months in prison, but suspended it for two and a half years.
In regards the driving charges, Timlin was disqualified from driving for three and half year, and fined £250.
He was further fined £75 for criminal damage to the mirror.
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