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Suspended jail term for Armagh man after Boxing Day assault on his partner

'He thinks he can just walk back into the marital home and be the husband of the year, father of the year'

Craigavon Court

A man who assaulted his partner has been handed a restraining order banning him from making any contact with her.

The district judge stated the 39-year-old did not know “the gravity of the offence” or “the effect of carrying out these actions in front of his children”.

Egidijus Petrauskas, of Drumsill Park, Armagh pleaded guilty to common assault at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Court heard that on December 26, at 2.42am, police received a text to 999 requesting help at an address in the Westland area of Portadown.

At 2.02am, they had received a call from the injured party’s friend who said that her partner was drunk.

Court heard at 2am, the defendant had been sleeping when he was wakened by the injured party.

He began shouting at his partner and went to go downstairs but fell.

The injured party assisted Petrauskas after his fall.

The defendant told the injured party that she had to go to bed with him and pushed her in the shoulder.

This caused the female to fall to the ground hurting her right knee.

Petrauskas was subsequently cautioned and arrested for the offence.

During interview, the defendant claimed he could not remember anything except for falling down the stairs.

Defence barrister Conor Coulter stated: “This was a plea at the earliest opportunity, he was heavily intoxicated at the time.

“It was Christmas Day and his partner had returned home later than he had expected.”

He said: “Mr Petrauskas is embarrassed and ashamed. He spent two weeks in Maghaberry for a breach of bail by contacting his partner trying to see his daughter.”

District Judge Bernie Kelly stated: “He doesn’t understand the gravity of the offence, the gravity of his actions or the effect of carrying out these actions in front of his children.

“He thinks he can just walk back into the marital home and be the husband of the year, father of the year.”

She continued: “I am concerned that you do not take this seriously enough.

“I am concerned of the way you view your wife and children.”

Petrauskas was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for two years.

In addition, he was handed a three-year restraining order preventing him from having any contact with the injured party.

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