A 32-year-old man has received 169 hours of community service after he was convicted of three counts of common assault against his partner.

Killian Lee McMackin with an address of Mill Hill Road, Newtownbutler, appeared at Fermanagh Magistrates Court after sentencing had been deferred at a previous hearing.

The court heard that police had received reports that the injured party of alleged assaults by her partner. Between January 31 and February 1, McMackin had hit her very hard with a pillow. This was followed with another assault on February 2 when she was pushed and knocked to the ground before the defendant grabbed her as if to choke her.

On February 4, McMackin pushed his partner on to a bed, choked her and punched her in the ribs.

The injured party managed to get outside where McMackin followed her and threatened to throw her into the lough. The injured party has a fear of water.

Photos of the injuries were taken and the defendant was arrested and cautioned but made no reply. During interview he denied the charges.

McMackin’s solicitor told the court that when deferring District Judge Michael Ranaghan was mindful of the difficulty he faced but felt there was a chance for optimism.

He said the breakdown in the relationship with his children and the use of prescription drugs had contributed to the appalling behaviour, adding that there had been some hint of reconciliation between the parties and his client had been trying to turn his life around.

He said the report had shown McMackin had recognised the impact of his behaviour and the affect drugs had on him as a person.

District Judge Steven Keown said the period of deferment was put in place as McMackin was standing in the door of the cell. He said there had been a concerted effort to change his ways but it did not take away from the disgraceful incidents.

Ordering McMackin to carry out 169 hours of community service on top of his outstanding 70 hours, Judge Keown warned McMackin that if things go wrong in the future there will be a lot of issues that will “come to bare”.