Man assaulted partner and her father
Thursday March 11 2010
A MAN who believed he had been locked out when he arrived home from the pub ended up assaulting his partner and her father.
Wesley Lee, of 18 Droimneach, Bweeng, Mallow pleaded guilty to assaulting Edmond Godsil and Lynda Godsil on March 22 2009, at Sexton's Cross, Derry, Berrings.
Inspector Tony Sugrue told Macroom court that at about 3am that morning Lee returned back to the house he shared with Lynda Godsil at Sexton's Cross after spending the night in the pub.
"His girlfriend answered the door. He pushed her at the bottom of the stairs and followed her upstairs, and continued to push and kick her," said Insp Sugrue.
"She got her children and took them into a room where her father was staying and locked the door. But the defendant kicked in the door."
When Edmond Godsil then tried to ring the Gardai, Lee grabbed the phone from him and pushed Mr Godsil to the ground.
Lee's solicitor, Mr Pat Goold, said that the incident was "totally drink related". He said that Lynda Godsil had left the pub earlier in the night but Lee wanted to remain on. When he did get home "he believed that he was locked out; he was banging on the door for an hour and a quarter".
"This was really a watershed for him," Mr Goold continued: "Since that night he hasn't imbibed in drink. He attends AA meetings; he knows that he can never drink again."
The whole situation is "a complete mess", he added, but the defendant is now endeavouring to prove himself. "He wishes, in public, to apologise to his partner, the mother of his child, and to her father."
Judge McNulty noted that the defendant had expressed remorse, admitted his offences from the very outset, and has changed his ways. "He has made very significant changes in his lifestyle and the prospects of reoffending appear to me to be limited - so long as he maintains his sobriety," said the judge.
Mr Lee had six previous convictions, the most recent in 2005 for car tax.
Judge McNulty added, however, that he had to mark the gravity of the offence. "The assault of decent people at 2am in the morning in their home is, to my mind, a most serious matter."
He imposed four month sentences on both counts of assault, but suspended the sentenced on condition that Lee enter a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years.
