A Newry man has been sentenced to four years and two months following a horrific campaign of abuse on his partner. He appeared at Newry Court in April 2021 charged with 13 counts of common assault, two counts of threats to kill, dangerous driving, attempted criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence. He was then bailed with the intent to face Crown Court proceedings for his cruel and heinous crimes.
Christopher Hughes, 29, of Cloghanramer Road, Newry was sentenced at City’s Crown Court to a total of four years and two months, half of which will be spent behind bars, for a five-and-a-half month campaign of horrific abuse, which included holding a knife against his partner’s throat. Hughes faced a total of 19 charges, 15 of which he pleaded guilty to – the rest were left on the books.
Following the proceedings his victim said that for anyone going through a similar ordeal,
“It might feel like something small to them because they’re made to feel like they’re being dramatic but they’re not”.
“Men like that they have a way of manipulating a girl into thinking they’re not being badly treated when really they are.”
On the sentence itself the woman revealed it “validated everything for me, that I was right to come forward about it”.
As is to be expected, it was “extremely difficult to come forward” because, as she admits, “at the time I still very much loved him but I knew what he did to me was so wrong”.
The Domestic and Sexual Abuse helpline is open to women and men affected by domestic abuse or violence. This free telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Freephone 0808 802 1414 or email help@dsahelpline.org. Website: www.dsahelpline.org
CLANRYE NEWS 