Prison sentence for first person prosecuted under new domestic abuse legislation

41-year-old caused husband to fear for his life

The first person to be prosecuted on the Isle of Man under new domestic abuse legislation has received a custodial sentence.

Charlotte Rebecca Dougherty, formerly of Ballachrink Drive in Onchan, was handed a 20-week prison sentence at Douglas Courthouse on Tuesday (1 August).

However she's now been released from the Isle of Man Prison as she’s already served the time whilst on remand.

The 41-year-old had previously admitted causing physical or psychological harm to her husband, who was also her carer, between 4 and 31 January.

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The court was told he’d been left in fear of his life after she attacked him by pinning him down, biting him, spitting at him and hitting him over the head with an iPad.

Dougherty, he said, had become a ‘religious fanatic’ who demanded he study the bible, stopped him drinking, eating bacon and listening to his music.  

During sentencing Dougherty’s advocate told the court his client had been suffering from ‘not insignificant’ mental and physical health problems at the time adding: “It appears things have spiralled from there.”

“She wishes, more than anything, to say sorry for what she has done,” he added: “This is, I submit, a very sad case for all involved.”

Sentencing Dougherty to 20 weeks in custody – the maximum the Summary Court can impose – High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said she could now be released from prison.

“I do consider the offence to be a serious one,” she told her: “I hope you receive the support you need moving forward.”

An order under the Domestic Abuse Act was also made.