A man who assaulted his partner and told a child “I will leave you without a mummy” has been ordered to pay a fine of £450.
Addressing the 25-year-old, the district judge said: “You are the parent of three young children. It would have been rather distressing for them to witness what occurred between their mother and father on this occasion.”
Ruairi Gawley, of Shore Road in Rostrevor, pleaded guilty to common assault and threats to kill at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The case had been listed for contest, however, pleas were offered following the withdrawal of charges relating to criminal damage and theft.
Prosecution outlined that on May 2, of this year, the injured party made a report to police that she had been assaulted by the defendant.
She claimed to have been awakened from her sleep during the early hours by Gawley, who was speaking to someone with a raised voice on the phone.
The injured party told the defendant to speak quieter so as not to waken the children and as she walked back to the bedroom he followed her.
Gawley then punched her to the throat and kicked her to the stomach, before making threats to kill her.
Prosecution also outlined how the defendant had gestured his finger across his throat as he told one of the children: “I will leave you without a mummy.”
Defence barrister Kevin O’Hare stated that these offences were “out of character” with the only previous entries on his record being for road traffic matters.
He told court that Gawley was now living with his parents in Rostrevor; the relationship had ended but he had weekend contact with the three children and he was trying to deal with “underlying issues”.
District Judge Eamon King stated: “Mr Gawley, you are the parent of three young children. It would have been rather distressing for them to witness what occurred between their mother and father on this occasion.
“I am told that you still maintain contact with the children and you need to understand what is important in life.”
Gawley was ordered to pay a fine of £450, along with the offender’s levy of £15, and a restraining order was put in place for a period of two years.
