Bailieboro man jailed for three assaults

A 29-year-old Bailieboro man who was convicted of three separate assaults was sentenced to nine months at a sitting of Virginia District Court when he pleaded guilty to all the offences. Adrian Rogers, 34 Bexcourt View, Bailieboro and 12 Tanderagee, Bailieboro, was sentenced to nine-months for assaulting Melissa Martin at Bexcourt View on November 15, 2008. He was given a concurrent nine-month term for assaulting Damien Callaghan at Flat 1, Corner Court, Bailieboro, on January 18, 2009. The defendant was also given a concurrent four months for assaulting Melissa Martin at Tanderagee on May 9, 2009. Inspector Ray McMahon said on November 15, 2008, the defendant and the injured party were in a relationship and had been down town drinking. When they came home, he became abusive towards Ms. Martin and told her to go to her room. She locked the door to prevent him from getting in but he did get in. He got on top of her and hit her over the head. The defendant threatened her and left the room but returned. Ms. Martin pleaded with him not to hit her but he did. The relationship had since ended. In relation to the incident on January 18, 2009, the defendant called to the flat of Mr. Callaghan. When Mr. Callaghan opened the front door, he was confronted by Rogers who accused Mr. Callaghan of stealing his social welfare cheque. He punched and kicked Mr. Callaghan who suffered a fractured cheek bone. Mr. Callaghan had not stolen the cheque and it had been delayed in the post. On May 9, 2009. Ms. Martin called to 12 Tanderagee to collect her child. Rogers had phoned her earlier to get him cigarettes but she forgot. When she arrived, the defendant slapped her across the face. Damien Rudden, solicitor defending, said his client came from a large family and was crime-free until he was eighteen. His father passed away at that stage and he had a number of scrapes with the law. He got involved with alcohol and in these offences he had drink on board. Mr. Rudden asked the judge for leniency in view of the fact the defendant had pleaded guilty. Judge Sean MacBride said the defendant had pleaded guilty to very serious offences and he didn't have to reiterate the gory details. The assault on November 15 was savage and it had a terrible effect on the woman who feared for her life. The maximum sentence the district court could impose was 12 months. He had to take into account the defendant's plea and the expense of a trial. The best he could do fo\r the defendant was given him a 25% discount and impose a nine-month sentence but he would not be backdating the sentence. The assault on Mr. Callaghan was outrageous and it took place in his own home. He was attacked for no good reason and it was drink fuelled. The appropriate sentence was nine-months concurrent. It is wrong to slap women on the face and what Judge MacBride intended to do was impose a four-month concurrent sentence.