Man attacked partner and set fire to bed

Man attacked partner and set fire to bed

12 February 2014

A COURT has heard how a man took an overdose after he attacked his former partner and set fire to her bed.

Michael Livingstone was high on drugs during what was described as an “appalling” incident at a house in Drumaness.

Livingstone threatened to burn the house down and told the terrified woman: “If I can’t have you, no-one can.”

At Downpatrick Court on Thursday Livingstone (24) was given a nine-month suspended jail sentence.

District Judge Greg McCourt said: “Domestic violence is a serious matter and needs to be treated seriously.”

The incident occurred on September 15 last year and the court heard how the couple had been involved in a row in a Ballynahinch pub earlier that night.

Livingstone followed the woman to her home in Drumaness and went upstairs to her bedroom.

A prosecution lawyer said Livingstone became aggressive and slammed the bedroom door against a wall. He threatened to burn the house down and used a cigarette lighter to set fire to the bedclothes as the woman lay in bed. He then grabbed her by the throat and banged her head against the floor.

Livingstone later told police much what happened was a “blank” to him. However, he admitted setting fire to the bed and putting one hand across the woman’s throat. He denied banging her head against the floor.

A defence solicitor said Livingstone, of Rowan Drive, Dunmurry, was ashamed of what he had done and had taken an overdose the following day.

“It is hard to emphasise how ashamed he is,” the solicitor remarked. “Since this he has suffered from depression.

“It is completely uncharacteristic for this man to behave like this. The offence was carried out under the influence of drugs.”

The solicitor said Livingstone was admitted to Purdysburn Hospital after the incident and was taking help for his addiction.

District Judge McCourt told Livingstone: “It defeats me why any man or woman would keep their partner by being violent and setting fire to bedclothes.

“If you go near this injured party in any form you will be serving a very lengthy period of imprisonment.”

In addition to the nine-month sentence, which was suspended for three years, Livingstone was ordered to pay £250 in compensation.