A Portadown woman who punched her grandchild’s father, over alleged contact issues, has been ordered to complete 12 months probation.
The 46-year-old’s solicitor told court: “Things are cordial now and all parties want to put this matter behind them.”
Sharon Reid, of Ulsterville Park, appeared for sentencing on common assault at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on August 13, police received a report from the injured party that he had been confronted at his Craigavon home by his ex-partner and her mother, the defendant.
A verbal argument had ensued in relation to contact and Reid then proceeded to punch the injured party in the face, resulting in a cut to his lip.
When interviewed, the defendant admitted to losing her temper and claimed to have slapped her daughter’s ex-partner.
Defence solicitor Kevin McCamley stated that the child in question had been left upset after the injured party had failed to collect or have contact with him.
He said: “It got so bad that the defendant and her daughter went to confront him about it…things got heated on both sides.
“There is a discrepancy of the punch versus slap but Ms Reid did not wish to waste the court’s time with a Newton hearing.”
Mr McCamley added: “Things are cordial now and all parties want to put this matter behind them.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly stated: “I am surprised, given the context of this case, from reading the report there it not one mention of domestic violence.
“I ask myself, if it were a man on a woman would the words domestic violence be used? Of course they would. How have we now become sexist when it comes to matters of domestic violence?”
Reid was sentenced to a total of 12 months probation for the offence before the court.
