MAN WITH 72 PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS JAILED FOR ASSAULT ON PREGNANT PARTNER
Gary Neeson, aged 31, whose address was listed as Maghaberry Prison, admitted to five counts of domestic violence.A man convicted of subjecting his pregnant partner to what a judge described as "a prolonged period of domestic terrorism involving several non-fatal strangulations" has been sentenced to 52 months in prison at Derry Crown Court.
Neeson pleaded guilty to five charges related to domestic violence, including assaults, harassment, and a pattern of abusive conduct on multiple occasions—specifically on August 1, 2022, and February 23, 2023.
Prosecutor Mr.
Neil Rafferty KC informed the court that one of the assaults, which involved strangulation, happened during what was meant to be a romantic overnight stay at the Everglades Hotel, when the victim was three months pregnant with Neeson’s child.
Despite having 72 prior convictions—many for domestic abuse allegations against former girlfriends, some pregnant—the accused has been evaluated by probation services as unlikely to be dangerous.
Judge Rafferty initially expressed difficulty accepting this non-dangerous classification given Neeson’s record but was ultimately convinced by the assurance that Neeson would be subject to a rigorous post-release probation scheme.
The prosecution described an incident where during an assault, the victim observed Neeson’s teeth baring and described him as "looking evil." She attempted to scratch him to break free but lost strength and closed her eyes, feeling she was going to die and experiencing paralysis.
Neeson then ceased strangling her, and the woman urinated during the attack.
She was examined the next day and found to have burst blood vessels on her face and neck.
In addition to the 52-month prison term, the judge ordered a five-year restraining order, prohibiting Neeson from making any contact with the victim.
The court emphasized the need to protect her fully, stating that she deserved the utmost safety and security.
