Man put on Probation for assaulting former partner

A man with a Castlerock address has been put on Probation for 18 months for assaulting his former partner.

Darren Mark Branter (41), of Temple Cove Apartments, Mussenden Road, has also been given a two year Restraining Order which means he cannot contact the woman who he also must pay £1,000 compensation to.

At Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday, February 20, District Judge Liam McNally warned the defendant if he does not pay the money he could have to serve up to 28 days in jail.

The court was told Branter was convicted after a contest.

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Defence lawyer Francis Rafferty said the defendant had “lost the run of himself in this relationship”.

He claimed both parties had been drinking extensively.

Mr Rafferty said Branter has reduced his alcohol intake and there had been no contact between Branter and the woman for some time.

He said Branter is now genuinely remorseful and despite contesting the case now accepts he did assault the woman and that his behaviour was “well beyond the pale” and that for a period of time the defendant had “gone off the rails”.

Judge McNally said it was an “unjustified attack”.