HUNGARIAN MAN TOLD BY UK JUDGE: OUR RULES APPLY, NOT YOURS
A man who yanked his wife out of bed and pushed her into another bedroom told police that he was entitled to behave this way towards her.Hungarian-born Arrila Goman, aided by an interpreter, pleaded guilty to assault by beating when he appeared at Kirklees Magistrates' Court.
Deputy District Judge John Maxwell told him: "You're living in the United Kingdom now and our rules apply - not your rules." The attack on the mother of two occurred at their home in Market Street, Heckmondwike, on September 12.
Prosecutor Natalie Chapman informed the Huddersfield court that Goman returned home that night, claiming that his wife had been drinking.
He wanted her to leave the bed and sleep in her mother's room, who was visiting from Hungary.
At the time, the couple's small children were in the bed, and the 41-year-old Goman argued that there was not enough space for all of them.
Because she refused to obey his commands, Goman grabbed his wife and pulled her off the bed, then pushed her with one hand into another bedroom.
He told police he believed he had the right to do this because she is his wife.
When questioned about the legality of his behavior in the UK, he replied: "I understand that now." Mitigating solicitor Ian Whiteley said that his client had no previous convictions and that the couple have since reconciled.
Judge Maxwell said: "You are living in the United Kingdom now and our rules apply - not your rules.
No husband in the UK has the right to lay his hands upon his wife or anybody else for that matter.
Keep out of trouble and do not manhandle your wife." He sentenced Goman to a 12-month conditional discharge, meaning he will not be punished if he stays out of trouble for a year.
He also ordered him to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
