Mayo man jailed for 'cruel' regime of violence against former girlfriend

A NORTH Mayo man who subjected his former girlfriend to a 'cruel, degrading and violent regime' over a 12 month period has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

Patrick Orme (27) of Lisduvogue, Knockmore, Ballina was sentenced to two years imprisonment with the final six months suspended at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to three counts of assault causing harm to his former girlfriend when they were in a relationship between August 2017 and August 2018.

The court heard that on one occasion Mr Orme strangled the victim around her neck before throwing her against a wall and punching her multiple times in the ribs.

In October 2017 he smacked her across the face leaving her with bruises and in March 2018, he punched and threw her to the ground and as a result suffered dizziness and headaches for two weeks.

In June 2018 he strangled her around the neck and lifted her off the ground by the throat. She said he knocked her to the ground and lay on top of her until she could not breath. In a separate incident, he also punched her in the head and stomach and pinched her and threw her to the ground.

Judge Eoin Garavan was informed that the relationship started in 2015 when they were both teenagers and the injured party claimed that the first signs of the defendant’s controlling nature emerged in September 2016.

The first physical incident occurred in August 2017 and the injured party had the self awareness to take a picture of her injuries following each incident and save them onto a secret folder on her phone.

Commenting on the photos, Judge Garavan said they showed evidence of bruising, cuts and bleeding and caught the veracity of the assaults against her.

Level of violence

While acknowledging that Mr Orme has made significant efforts to gain insight into his offending behaviour and undergone counselling and therapy, the level of violence cannot be overlooked and he had to impose a custodial sentence.

“In many cases it would lead to an entirely suspended sentence but in this case I can't do that because of the seriousness of the matter.

“It gives me no pleasure to pass the sentence. I have no doubt that Mr Orme regrets his past vehemently but that type of violence towards women clearly cannot escape with a fully suspended sentence,” he said.

Judge Garavan also commented that the fact that the victim held onto the photos in a secret folder while still in a relationship highlighted the complexity of an abusive relationship but she knew this day would come. He commended her on her courage in coming forward and hoped it will give an incentive to other women to come forward.

“She has to be commended for her courage and bravery and the photos were part of the case and caught the veracity of those assaults.

“ It recognises that domestic violence behind four walls is always sinister and a secret and when people break out of that they are to be commended and offer an incentive to other potential victims out there that it is never too late to complain and justice can be done at the end of the day,” he said.

A previous sitting of the court heard that Mr Orne and the victim were involved in an intense relationship but insecurities set in when he went to college in Sligo and she went to Dublin. Patrick Murphy, counsel for Mr Orme said that they would argue and his client claimed the incidents arose from these arguments.

Mr Murphy said his client now has a new partner and is in a stable relationship and he has the support of his family. He also co-operated with the gardaí and pleaded guilty to the offences.

Since the last court sitting in February, Mr Murphy said his client has completed the MOVE programme which is detailed to the issues of partner violence and has completed 15 sessions of counselling.

The probation officer, he said, has commented that Mr Orme is now dealing with his emotions and feelings in a more healthy manner and is more insightful.

Mr Murphy said that his client is finding the programme beneficial and gives an opportunity to delve further into his unhealthy thought patterns. The probation officer stated that he now realises the danger he has caused to the victim and has expressed remorse.

Victim impact statement

In her victim impact statement, the victim stated that during the relationship she was constantly told she could not leave Mr Orme as he told her nobody else would ever want her.

“I constantly lied to friends and family when they asked where I got a bruise from or why I was wearing a hoody on a warm day. I had to cover my arms and legs so people would not see the bruises. He told me multiple times not to let people see them or they would try to split us up. He would also say that people should not see them so their perception of him might not change and my family would suddenly dislike him and it would be my fault,” she said.

Mr Murphy acknowledged his client did not show insight into his behaviour at the beginning of the process with the Probation Service but there has been a sea change in his attitude and his risk of reoffending has been lowered from moderate to low.

He added that his client is in full-time employment with a stable family relationship and he has €7,500 in court to present to the victim as an expression of remorse.

Mr Murphy asked Judge Garavan to be as lenient as possible and structure a sentence to reflect the progress he has made to date as he did not believe Mr Orme will be before the court again.

Following the passing of the sentence, Mr Murphy asked Judge Garavan to consider suspending more of the sentence but this was refused. Judge Garavan said that the sentence of 18 months was as lenient as he could be given the seriousness of the offence and he would not revisit it.