The court heard that Liverpool resident Michael Francis McGoldrick (54) struck the 32-year-old woman, who has learning difficulties.
Police legal adviser Lauren Hallam said that the attention of three police officers was drawn to two people arguing in Liberation Square at about 3 am. Miss Hallam said that the man was seen to hit the woman on the head with his hand.
The court heard that the pair were on a weekend break to the Island. Miss Hallam said that they had both been drinking and after the incident, the woman was not willing to make a complaint. However, McGoldrick was prosecuted as a result of the statements given by the three officers.
The court was told that the woman was upset that contact with her father was stopped and she had since left the Island.
Advocate Alison Brown, defending, said that her client had a flight booked to go home for Christmas. She submitted that the assault was a single slap with the arm or hand. ‘My client’s instructions are that he was holding a cap in his hand and that is what he hit her with,’ she said.
Advocate Brown told the court that the defendant cared for his daughter and also for his ex-wife, both of whom have learning difficulties, and was required at home.
In sentencing, the Magistrate Bridget Shaw said: ‘I hope your time in custody has been a shock to you. Violence cannot be tolerated, especially towards those close to you and those who are vulnerable.’ However, she said that the matter needed to be dealt with in the defendant’s home city rather than here.
McGoldrick was bound over to be of good behaviour for three years on condition he leaves the Island.
