Suspended sentence for man who struck ex-partner with child’s guitar causing wound needing stitches

By Staff Reporter
Published 6th Oct 2023, 13:02 BST
Updated 6th Oct 2023, 15:49 BST
Bishop Street Courthouse.Bishop Street Courthouse.
Bishop Street Courthouse.
Derry Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday how a man struck his former partner on the head with a child's guitar causing a wound that required paper stitches and glue.

Gary David Harper (50) of Ebrington Street in Derry admitted assaulting occasioning actual bodily harm on his former partner on June 17.

The court heard the injured party reported to them she had been assaulted by Harper around 10pm on that date.

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She told police she suspected he had been drinking so a verbal argument ensued on the phone.

She then got a taxi to his address and the defendant appeared waving a child's guitar before striking her with it.

When interviewed Harper made admissions.

Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said his client had shown remorse in his pre-sentence report.

Harper was given an 8 month sentence suspended for 3 years, ordered to pay £750 in compensation and had a Restraining Order imposed for a period of 2 years.