A 60-YEAR-OLD man who told police that he gave his partner a “bitch slap” because she was “narky” after they had argued in a local pub has been put on probation for two years.

Vincent Fox, of Mallard Heights, Bellanaleck, was charged with unlawfully assaulting the woman on February 22 this year.

Fox had entered a guilty plea at an earlier appearance before Fermanagh Magistrates Court, and a pre-sentence report had been prepared in the case.

At his sentencing on Monday, the court heard that, around midnight on February 23, the injured party called police to report that she had been “beaten up” by the defendant after they had argued on returning home from the pub.

On arrival at the house, officers observed that both the woman and the defendant were intoxicated. She told the police that they had argued in the bar earlier in the evening and, when they returned home, he had shoved her against the wall.

Officers observed a “small area of redness” around the victim’s lower lip, the court heard.

In a written statement of complaint given to police, the woman said that Fox had pinned her against the wall and slapped her face, leaving her feeling scared.

When the defendant was interviewed, he admitted being in the bar and arguing with his partner about his belongings.

However, he added that the woman became “narky” when they returned home and he had given her a “bitch slap”. Explaining what he meant, Fox said it had only been a “little slap” with the tips of his fingers across her face.

He conceded that it had been a “stupid thing to do”.

After district judge Nigel Broderick criticised Fox’s use of a “derogatory term”, defending counsel Stephen Fitzpatrick told the court that his client had used it to describe his actions rather than as a reference to the injured party.

The barrister said that the relationship, which had lasted for around 15 years, was now over. He added that it was unfortunate that the defendant was coming before the court at this stage in his life.

Passing sentence, district judge Mr Broderick observed that the courts took a “very dim view” of domestic violence, adding that the defendant’s comments and attitudes belied a certain attempt to minimise his involvement.

The judge imposed a two-year Probation Order on the defendant, with an added requirement to participate in the Building Better Relationships programme.

Describing this as a “useful programme of work”, Mr Broderick said it was “very important” for Fox to participate as this was a serious matter.