Jan 12 - Man Jailed For Punching And Choking His Partner
A 55-year-old man appeared at the Supreme Court this morning where he was sentenced to 12 months in prison for assault occasioning actual bodily harm after punching and choking his partner.
Manuel De Sa Fernandez, a Portuguese national, has been remanded in custody since the incident took place in the victim’s home in Laguna Estate in July last year.
Prosecutor Robert Fischel QC said the victim and the defendant, who had been together for eight years, got into a heated argument a few days after they were supposed to get married. De Sa Fernandez started punching her and strangling her until she lost consciousness.
A few hours later, when the victim woke up and noticed her partner was still in the house watching television, she contacted the police.
The victim, who has mental health problems and is currently in Ocean Views, told the police she was frightened for her life after he told her he was going to kill her.
De Sa Fernandez was arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, strangling and making threats to kill, but these last two counts have been kept on file.
His lawyer Patrick Canessa said the defendant has shown remorse and entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, adding that he hasn’t sought bail since his arrest and that the asault was an impulsive reaction. He added that the probation officer’s report reveals he is at low risk of re-offending and isn’t a risk to the public.
The Chief Justice Anthony Dudley highlighted a number of aggravating factors in this incident including a breach of trust and the vulnerability of the victim.
De Sa Fernandez was sentenced to 18 months in prison but this was reduced to 12 months for entering a guilty plea, with time served being taken into consideration.
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