A Co Down man whose behaviour was described as “coercive, bullying and intimidating” was jailed for 18 months today (Thursday) for multiple attack on his partner.
When he is released from prison, Peter McGeown will spend a further 18 months on licence.
The 28-year old appeared at Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, via a videolink with Maghaberry where he was handed the three-year sentence by Judge Geoffery Miller KC.
Read more: Co Armagh man allegedly exerted coercive control over ex partner, court told
McGeown, from Rossnaree Close in Downpatrick, admitted assaulting his partner on four separate occasions in 2021 and of breaching a restraining order on dates between September 17 and December 30, 2021.
As he passed sentence, Judge Miller said the complainant - who was in an on/off relationship with McGeown for ten years - has since passed away on a matter not related to the offences before the court.
He said: “The court wishes to record its sympathy to her extended family.”
Regarding the offences, it emerged that on September 18, 2021 the injured party was attacked by McGeown in her home. He was waiting for a taxi, an argument broke out and after running at his partner, McGeown kneed her in the ribs and punched her.
He also grabbed her leg and twisted her ankle and when she attended hospital the following day, a fracture was detected and she told medics she has fallen. Following this, the couple didn’t see each other until December 2021 - when McGeown assaulted her on three separate occasions.
On December 23, she was assaulted her in her living room and during this incident McGeown kicked her in the ribs, punched her in the face and shouted ‘are you ever going to learn?’.
Five days later he kicked her in the head and knocked her unconscious - and when she came round he accused her of acting. The final assault occurred on December 29, when McGeown attacked her then left the house to meet another woman. When he returned he ordered her to put a bag of frozen chips against her face then told her he would make her eat them.
The next day she went to her mother’s house and the matter was reported to the PSNI. McGeown was arrested on December 31 and denied assaulting his partner - but later admitted his guilt.
As he set out the aggravating factors, Judge Miller described the now-deceased victim as a “vulnerable” woman with addiction issues who was controlled by McGeown.
He added: “The physical injuries she sustained at the defendant’s hands were only a part of the harm caused because she was clearly the victim of his coercive, bullying and intimidating behaviour over a sustained period.”
Defence barrister Sean Doherty said the couple’s ten-year relationship was “blighted by addiction issues” and that McGeown has acknowledged his partner suffered as a result of his actions.
Also raised by the defence were McGeown’s “difficult” childhood which included cannabis use at the age of ten which escalated to harder drug use. Judge Miller branded a Probation Report compiled on McGeown as “worrying” and “negative” as it indicated he has neither shown any remorse nor victim empathy.
Also noted by the Judge was a history of similar offending against the same woman as well as violent offences against other females. As he imposed the sentence, Judge Miller recommended that during his period of licence McGeown attend programmes to address his issues.
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