AN Artigarvan man who threw a plate of chicken curry at his wife in a fit of anger has been warned he will go to prison if he breaches a probation order.



AN Artigarvan man who threw a plate of chicken curry at his wife in a fit of anger has been warned he will go to prison if he breaches a probation order.

Alan Connor (46) of Leckpatrick Gardens had previously been found guilty of five accounts of assault on his partner between December 2012 and April 2013.

One of the incidents, on December 14 2012, occurred at the Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast when the defendant hurled a plate of curry in her direction.


Other incidents occurred the couple’s home, however on a number of occasions Connor claimed his wife had actually been the aggressor.

Barrister Joe McCann described the case as “unusual”. He said that following discussions with the Probation Service and a counselling service in Dunamanagh, Connor now realised he had a problem.

Mr McCann said his client now acknowledged his controlling behaviour and resentment towards his partner.

“He is a man with no record, a 46-year-old man who has at least gone some way to acknowledging there is some sort of problem,” Mr McCann said.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said that normally domestic abuses warranted immediate jail.

“Normally an offence of this nature would result in an immediate custodial sentence.

“But the court has had the benefit of a very detailed probation report and it has pointed out some positive factors which could address the risk of reoffending,” he said.


Mr Broderick said it was “with some hesitation” that he imposed a two year period of probation with an order for compensation in the sum of £500.

“If you fail to comply with the order you will be brought back to court and will most likely receive five months in prison,” the judge warned.