A 57-YEAR-OLD man who carried out a “brutal” attack against a woman after she rejected his unwanted sexual advance has been sent to prison for 15 months.
Gerard Eamon Maguire strangled, kicked and dragged his victim by her hair during the incident.
He was convicted of common assault following a trial in the Royal Court in December and sentenced for the offence on Friday.
The court heard how Maguire became violent towards the woman after exposing himself to her.
Crown Advocate Christina Hall, prosecuting, explained how, when the woman refused to comply with his sexual demand, this “upset” Maguire and “he started to shout at her”.
Tensions escalated, and Maguire pinned his victim to the floor, pressing his knees into her with such force that she lost control of her bladder.
She recalled her face being “pressed hard against the carpet” and feeling “immense pain”, the court heard.
He also “kicked her, pulled her hair and banged her head on the floor”.
The victim was later found distressed by a resident in the same building, who contacted the police.
A medical examination the following day confirmed that she had suffered multiple bruises, swelling, and injuries consistent with strangulation.
Dr Deryn Sian Evans, who examined the victim, reported significant bruising to her face, chest, back and neck. The victim also said she had “pain swallowing”.
During the course of the examination, Dr Evans came to believe that “a significant trauma” had happened to the victim, and reported that she had been so “significantly concerned” about the woman’s physical and mental wellbeing that she ordered a CT scan.
Maguire initially denied the assault, offering conflicting explanations for the victim’s injuries.
During the trial, he changed his account, claiming that he had dragged the victim out of the property they were in, but did not physically assault her.
He claimed she had only wet herself because she was drunk.
Maguire was given a 15-month prison sentence.
The Royal Court – consisting of Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae, sitting with Jurats Austin-Vautier and Le Heuze – also imposed a restraining order against Maguire, prohibiting him from contacting the victim.
Upon his release from prison, he will also be banned from entering licensed premises for 12 months.
