A 37-YEAR-OLD man who drunkenly assaulted his wife and teenage step-daughter last summer has received a suspended jail sentence.

Brian John Nathan Cassidy, of The Simon Community, Central Avenue, Bangor, but who has a previous address at Sally’s Wood in Irvinestown, strenuously denied carrying out the assaults on August 28, 2015, but was convicted of both offences at Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday.

During the contested hearing, a recording of a 999 call made by the defendant’s wife was played to the court. Cassidy also took to the stand to give evidence in his own defence.

The defendant told the court that, on the night in question, he and his wife were having a few drinks to celebrate their daughter’s christening. His teenage step-daughter was also in the room.

Cassidy claimed that he got up to fill his glass and then fell backwards, causing him to hit his step-daughter. He told the court that he had said “sorry” after she started to cry.

The defendant further alleged that his wife then “charged” at him and attacked him. Claiming that he was “scared” at that point, he told the court that he left the room after being asked to do so by his wife.

During cross-examination, Cassidy confirmed that he didn’t answer any questions when he was interviewed by police in September. He claimed that he “didn’t want to get anybody into trouble”.

The prosecutor said he had been given an opportunity to explain what happened, but didn’t take it because he was guilty of assaulting his wife and step-daughter.

Deputy district judge, Neil Rafferty, told the court that injuries had been observed on the two victims when the police had attended the scene.

Describing the defendant as a “tragic witness”, the judge said he found his evidence “entirely unconvincing” and said he simply did not believe one word he said.

Mr Rafferty ruled that he was “entirely satisfied” that there had been a drunken assault on both of his victims.

The defending counsel told the court that it was clear from the 999 recording that they were a couple that had their difficulties. However, the barrister said that Cassidy and his wife had now put their difficulties behind them and were “moving on” from their domestic issues.

The judge observed that the defendant had taken “far too much to drink” on the night in question, adding: “When you have far too much to drink, there’s a problem in this house.” Mr Rafferty said that Cassidy could either “hide from the truth or face reality like a man”. He urged him to play a significant and proper role in his family and not put the two women in fear. The judge said he was “just about” not sending the defendant to prison. He imposed a three-month jail term, which he suspended for the maximum three years.

Warning Cassidy not to raise his hand to either woman again, Mr Rafferty said there were “no second chances” with domestic violence. “If you ever think about doing this again, I will be here,” the judge added.