A man who dragged his partner out of the house by her ankles and down the front path has been handed a two-year Probation Order.
Stefan Kamenov, of Ashley Gardens in Armagh, appeared before the city’s Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Newry, on Tuesday, charged with common assault, however, District Judge Marshall contended that it was at the higher end.
The court heard that on Wednesday, July 3, the injured party attended Armagh police station to report she’d been assaulted by her partner three days prior, on June 30.
She alleged that following an argument, Kamenov had dragged her by the ankles out of their house and down some steps, causing bruising to her left arm and leg and cuts and marks to her back.
A statement was recorded and photographs were taken.
Kamenov was arrested at his home and taken to Dungannon police station. He initially denied the offence, however, when questioned on CCTV evidence, from his home address, he then fully admitted the offence.
Defence barrister Conor Coulter told the court that his client made full admissions and even provided his own Ring doorbell footage “which ultimately paved the way for the prosecution in the case”.
Mr Coulter said “alcohol played a factor, albeit, he contends that he wasn’t intoxicated,” something the judge “may view with some degree of skepticism”.
He added: “He apologised to the complainant, and to the court. He repeats that today…he is a man that has genuine remorse. He even said ‘no sensible person would have acted in such a manner,’ so we say there is evidence of genuine remorse.”
In imposing a two year Probation Order, Judge Marshall, said: “I think it is important, having viewed the footage in this incident, of you trailing your partner out by the ankles and down the front path, resulting in bruising and a number of injuries to her, that you do a domestic violence program.”
She concluded: “If you don’t do that order and you come back to court all sentencing options are open. So make sure you do whatever Probation ask you to do.”
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