Boozed-up groom punched and kicked new bride on their wedding night two months ago – and hasn’t seen her or their daughter since
Kevin Joseph McGrath attacked new wife Melissa when she 'scolded' him for vomiting on the floor of their bridal suite
A BOOZED-UP groom who kicked and punched his new wife in a hotel bridal suite on the night of their wedding has dodged jail.
Kevin Joseph McGrath, left his bride Melissa “very scared” after he put his hands around her throat.
Antrim Magistrates Court heard how 28-year-old McGrath went on a booze bender starting at 10am on the day of his wedding.
His barrister claimed McGrath was so drunk he couldn’t remember anything after the wedding meal, which ended at 8pm.
The court was told how McGrath later attacked his new wife in the bridal suite and police were called to the White River House Hotel in Toomebridge, Co Antrim, on Sunday, October 2.
His wife had fled the room to alert hotel staff and had to be taken to hospital for treatment to her injuries, the details of which were not outlined to the court.
The court heard that since being married two months ago the defendant has not seen his wife or his daughter.
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McGrath had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his wife and was back in court for sentencing earlier today.
The court heard the new bride told police she had been “scolding” her husband for vomiting on the hotel room floor and as he lay on the bed he put his hands on her throat, “hurting her” and causing her to be feel “very scared”.
She also told police McGrath had kicked and punched her several times before he went to sleep.
The prosecutor said McGrath told police he had no memory of events after 8pm on his wedding day and could not account for the injuries to his new wife.
Defence barrister Michael Ward said the couple had been in a relationship for four years, got engaged in 2013 and had a young daughter together.
He said what was “meant to be a special day for them and their families” ended in disaster because McGrath drank too much alcohol.
Mr Ward claimed the defendant was under stress in the run up to the wedding and there were incidents on the day itself like the Best Man “taking himself elsewhere” and the music being played by the DJ causing “some frustration”.
The court heard the defendant was lying in bed when hotel staff woke him and told him to leave, saying his wife claimed she had been assaulted. His barrister added: “After being kicked out he doesn’t know how he got to Desertmartin.”
District Judge Alan White said he had to give McGrath credit for a guilty plea and a clear record but said it was a “very serious assault”.
He said he was reluctant to jail first-time offenders so instead put McGrath on two-year probation and also ordered him to carry out 100 hours of community service.
He ordered him to pay £300 compensation to his wife, adding: “Most people, no matter how badly they behave, deserve one chance in life.”
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