News / Family keen to move on following domestic assaults
A MAN from Yell who seriously assaulted his wife and threatened to kill her has escaped a jail sentence.
Karl Maguire, of Reafirth House, Mid Yell, was placed under supervision for 18 months and given fines totalling £700 at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
The 57 year old previously pled guilty to assaulting his wife by throwing bottles at her and presenting a knife, or a similar instrument, at her whilst threatening to kill her at their home on 31 December 2011.
Maguire also admitted assaulting her by grabbing her head and striking it against a wall at their home at some point between 1 January and 31 March 2014.
The court previously heard from procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie that both offences took place in the presence of the couple’s daughter, who was only 14 at the time of the first assault.
Speaking at the court on Wednesday, defence agent Tommy Allan said his client’s family were keen to move on from the incidents.
While he admitted that the court case might have “dire consequences” for Maguire’s employment, the man – who had been drinking before the first assault – had already “taken steps to deal with issues with his behaviour”.
Sheriff Philip Mann told Maguire that the offences were “serious”, particularly the first assault.
Taking into account the date of the incidents, his good behaviour since the offences, the lack of injuries sustained and the support he has from his family, Sheriff Mann decided against sending Maguire to jail.
Instead, he gave him a community payback order in the hope that it would allow him to get onto a “proper track” in life.
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