Jailed for assaulting ex-partner and housing staff

A man who assaulted his ex-partner and Housing Executive employees who were painting her home has been jailed for eight months.
Derry's Courthouse on Bishop Street. 3003JM66Derry's Courthouse on Bishop Street. 3003JM66
Derry's Courthouse on Bishop Street. 3003JM66

Robert Andrew James Bovaird, of Bonds Hill, pleaded guilty to common assault, making a threat to kill and disorderly behaviour on January 25.

He also admitted possessing a knife and resisting arrest.

The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to further charges of making a threat to kill on March 23 and breaching a non-molestation order on June 16.

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Derry Magistrate’s Court heard the injured party was in her home when Bovaird arrived and began making threats.

He threatened to ‘sort her out’ and called her derogatory names.

Bovaird also threatened to burn down her home.

Two Housing Executive workmen, who were painting the house at the time, blocked the defendant from going upstairs in the property.

The defendant took a metal bar out of his sleeve and threatened them.

He was escorted from the premises and left the area.

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The court was told Bovaird returned a short time later and was once again prevented from entering the house by the workmen.

He tried to get past them by punching them and brandishing a knife.

The workmen restrained the defendant until police arrived.

Bovaird also admitted breaching a non-molestation order on a later date by going to the injured party’s home.

He was ‘stinking of alcohol’ at the time and pushed his way into the house.

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The court order banned the defendant from going within one mile of the injured party’s home and the incident left her ‘terrified’.

The court also heard details of threats Bovaird made to a man via text and voicemail messages.

In these he threatened to cut the man’s throat.

Defence counsel Sean Doherty told the court the root of Bovaird’s offending was ‘a long standing alcohol management issue’. He said when the 34-year-old consumes alcohol he had problems controlling his behaviour.

Mr Doherty added that his client now accepted his relationship with the injured party was over and wishes to apologise.

Jailing the defendant for a total of eight months, District Judge Barney McElholm also imposed a restraining order banning Bovaird from going within 100 metres of the injured party’s home.