A MAN given the chance to live lawfully in the UK on a spousal visa repaid his wife by assaulting her, a court heard.

Abdoulie Jobarteh, 41, pushed his wife over, then kicked and stamped on her legs in the incident, on November 4, last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that he was also originally accused of causing damage to their home and carrying out another assault, on October 22.

The defendant, of Pierremont Crescent, Darlington, denied criminal damage, assault by beating and assault causing actual at a plea hearing in March.

With a trial date looming the case came back before the court on July 21, when he admitted assault causing actual bodily, relating to the November 4 incident.

The prosecution accepted the plea, on the basis he pushed, kicked and stamped on his wife and agreed not to pursue the earlier allegations.

His case was adjourned for preparation of a Probation Service background report.

Appearing at the sentencing hearing, the court heard that he told the report author he was not to blame and claimed his wife was the aggressor.

Asked by Judge Ray Singh if he was sticking with that story or now accepting he did push, kick and stamp on her, and was not acting in self-defence, he agreed.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said the defendant met his wife when she visited his home country, The Gambia, in west Africa, in 2012, and they soon married enabling him to move to the UK on a spousal visa.

Mr Walker said it appeared the defendant was, “in something of a mood”, and consumed strong cannabis and alcohol, before rowing prior to the incident on November 4.

He said Jobarteh’s wife chose not to give a victim statement, adding that in light of their continued relationship, a restraining order was not sought.

Passing a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, Judge Singh told Jobarteh: “This is a lady who allowed you an opportunity to live in this country with a spousal visa and, no doubt, supported you in that relationship, financially and emotionally, and you repaid her with a nasty assault.

“She received a significant gash to the leg.”

The judge also ordered Jobarteh to undertake 30 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service to address his behaviour within a relationship, as part of the sentence.

 

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054