Jail for brute who struck his ex with screwdriver

A man has been sentenced to a total of thirteen months in prison for assaulting his now ex-partner with a screwdriver.

Martin Ward (46), 8 The Guard House, Mainguard Street, appeared in custody before Galway District Court where he pleaded guilty to assaulting Susan Waters, causing her harm on January 18 last and to using a screw driver while assaulting Ms Waters on the same date.

The court heard the couple had a drunken argument and Ward assaulted his now ex-partner, using a screwdriver to inflict injuries.

Defence solicitor, Brian Gilmartin said Ward had a serious alcohol addiction coupled with consequent anger management issues and he was remorseful.  He said his client had been held in custody since his arrest on January 20 last.

Photographs of Ms Water’s injuries, along with a medical report, were handed into court.

Judge Mary Fahy said the photographs showed the significant physical injuries the victim had suffered, but she said she also wanted to hear about the psychological problems, if any, Ms Waters had suffered as a result of the attack.

Ms Waters shook as she went into the witness box. She tended to blame herself for Ward’s predicament. She told Judge Fahy she had a drink problem herself and she apologised to Ward for putting him through this.

Judge Fahy assured her the accused would not have found himself before the court if he had not assaulted her.

“But he did assault you and he used a screwdriver to injure your head,” the Judge said, referring to the photographs.

“I wanted to die that night. I’m sorry. I feel bad. He’s a good man,” Ms Waters said, shaking.

Judge Fahy said the best advice she could give the victim was to get counselling to try and move on with her life.

“This violence is not acceptable in any set of circumstances, but particularly with regard to a woman who is vulnerable.

“He has difficulties, but he should not have used brute force to attack her,” Judge Fahy said.

Inspector Mick Dwyer said Ward had 19 previous convictions, including two for seriously assaulting his then wife, for which he had received a seven-year sentence in July 2010, in the Circuit Criminal Court.

He said Ward was also given a suspended three-year sentence in March 2007, for another serious assault.

“‘What is commonly used as the euphemism ‘domestic violence’  is, in fact, serious criminal assault and this man has ‘form’ for it,” Judge Fahy observed.

The judge said Ward had been given chances in the past when he received suspended sentences for similar offences, but he had not availed of services to help him deal with his problems.

If he had, he would not be back before the court now, she said.

The judge said that while Ms Waters’ physical injuries would fade, there was no doubt her psychological problems would not.

Noting the maximum sentence that could be imposed for a Section 3 assault was twelve months, Judge Fahy said she was obliged to give Ward credit for his plea and so she imposed a ten-month sentence for that.

She imposed a consecutive three-month sentence on Ward for assaulting the woman with the screwdriver, backdating the sentences to January 20, when he went into custody.