Northern Ireland

Judge calls for tougher sentences for domestic violence

District Judge Barney McElholm has said tougher penalties are needed for assaults on women and children
District Judge Barney McElholm has said tougher penalties are needed for assaults on women and children District Judge Barney McElholm has said tougher penalties are needed for assaults on women and children

A judge has said "our politicians seem to feel the most trivial of things are more important than serious things like domestic violence".

District Judge Barney McElholm was speaking at Derry Magistrate's Court in a case where a man pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend and another woman.

Michael McIntyre (45), of Maureen Avenue in Derry, committed the offences in December and January.

The court heard police were called to a domestic incident and McIntyre’s former girlfriend told them he had grabbed her by the hair, forced her to the ground, thrown juice over her and then broken a table by punching it.

He also threw a dog across the room.

The second woman said she had been hit in the face, pulled to the ground by the hair and kicked and punched.

McIntyre also threatened to damage property.

The court also heard that police called at McIntyre’s address last month and found seven grammes of cannabis.

The next day they returned and found 13 grammes.

McIntyre said the drugs were for personal use.

Judge McElholm said he would like to have imposed a sentence of two years for his "thuggish, disgraceful actions" but was restricted to a six-month term for common assault.

He said there should be enhanced penalties for assaults on women and children as there is no adequate deterrent, with legislation for domestic violence required.

The judge added: "If we had a government maybe that would have been addressed."

He sentenced McIntyre to a total of eight months in prison, fined him £200 and imposed a restraining order for five years.