Drunken argument leads to domestic abuse conviction

Assault ABH charge withdrawn by prosecution

A Douglas man has admitted displaying behaviour which could cause physical or psychological harm to his partner after a drunken argument.

Michael James Holden, of Fairways Drive, pleaded guilty to the domestic abuse offence during an appearance at Douglas Courthouse.

The 55-year-old also admitted damaging her iPhone after a fight between the pair in the early hours of 8 August.

A charge of assault causing actual bodily harm was withdrawn. 

The prosecution alleges that Holden pushed the woman to the floor, by grabbing her shoulders, before kicking and punching her in the back and then attempting to remove her from his property.

He then threw her possessions – including her clothing and her phone – out of the window.

Holden denies grabbing her shoulders, or kicking and punching her, saying he’d pulled her into the hallway by her arms and they’d both fallen over a hoover.

A newton-hearing, where the facts are established, will now take place before sentence; a pre-newton hearing will be held on 10 October.

Holden was bailed until that date.