A man who assaulted his then partner by grabbing her by the throat and hair has been sentenced to community service.

Edward Robert James McBride, of Berrywoods Grove, Douglas, was found guilty after a trial of common assault on a female and property damage.

The 24-year-old had also previously admitted two other counts of property damage and one of breaching a licensing ban.

Magistrates sentenced him to 200 hours community service and ordered him to pay £250 compensation to his former partner as well as £500 prosecution costs relating to the trial.

Prosecuting advocate James Robinson told the court how McBride and the victim had met on social media in October 2019 and later moved in together.

On November 2, 2019, McBride damaged a kitchen cupboard after accusing her of talking to another man on social media.

On November 14, 2019, the pair argued again at the house with McBride grabbing her by the hair and throwing her around. She tried to escape but he then put her in a headlock before picking her up and carrying her upstairs.

The woman said she was scared for her life as McBride squeezed her mouth to stop her shouting. He then squeezed her neck with such force that she said that she was afraid she might die.

aggressive

A witness confirmed McBride’s aggressive demeanour saying he had punched holes in a wall and door.

The woman said she had suffered pain in her head, injury to her neck and had difficulty eating afterwards.

Another incident occurred the following day on November 15 when McBride took the woman’s phone and threw it on the floor, damaging the screen.

The incidents were not reported until two weeks later and McBride was subsequently arrested after attending police headquarters voluntarily.

McBride was also said to have breached a six-month licensing ban, imposed in October 2019, when he was seen in the Secret Pizza Co in Castletown on February 22, 2020.

Defence advocate Paul Rodgers asked the court to follow the recommendation of a probation report for community service.

Mr Rodgers said that the offences had occurred during a period in his client’s life when he was addicted to substances.

’He has sought help,’ said the advocate.

’That has also coincided with him progressing his education.

’His drug taking at the time made him prone to anger and unusual behaviour. It is fortunate that the victim didn’t suffer significant injuries.

’He finds it difficult to believe he would do that but he is now on the straight and narrow and has a new fiancee who is in court to support him.’

mitigation

Mr Rodgers went on to say that key mitigation was the fact that it had been a significant length of time since the offences and there had been no repetition, and that his client had served the equivalent of a 20-day sentence after his arrest.

Magistrates chair Lisa Horton told McBride: ’This assault on your then-partner is very serious.

’It was committed in a home you shared, a place she should have been able to feel safe.

’The injuries were not serious but the way in which you committed the assault would have been terrifying.

’But it would appear you have worked hard with the drug and alcohol team and are in the process of making an offence-free life for yourself.’

McBride will pay the compensation and costs at a rate of £10 per week deducted from benefits.