MAN JAILED AFTER WOMAN LEFT 'HAUNTED' BY VIOLENT ASSAULT
A man responsible for a violent attack on his ex-partner, during which he also threatened her life, has received a prison sentence.Keith White Turner, who forcibly entered a bedroom, hurled a television at the woman, and pushed her across the room onto a mattress, was sentenced to two years in prison in his absence at Donegal Circuit Court.
Judge John Aylmer noted that the incident left the victim "haunted" by fear.
White Turner, who claimed to be a professional boxer when questioned by Gardaí, faced charges of assault causing injury, making a threat to kill, and criminal damage at Finner Avenue, Bundoran, on June 25, 2022.
The 48-year-old, formerly a resident of Bundoran and now living in Cork, was also accused of threatening to kill and damaging property.
The court was informed that these charges might be considered as taken into account on a full facts basis.
Garda Claire O’Hara provided details of the case to the State Barrister, Ms Fiona Crawford BL.
The woman was socialising with friends when she had an altercation with White Turner in a pub.
During this, a friend attempted to intervene, but White Turner told her to "fuck off".
Upset, the woman left to go home, returning around 10:30 pm while White Turner remained at the bar.
Feeling distressed by the confrontation and indicating a desire to end the relationship, she explained that White Turner would often go out first and dance with other women to provoke her.
That night, she decided she had "had enough" and returned home.
White Turner later forced open her bedroom door, breaking the lock, and attacked her by throwing a television and smashing objects in the room.
He also threw perfume bottles as she tried to protect herself under a duvet.
The woman told Gardaí she was in a fetal position on the bed when White Turner lifted and threw the mattress across the room with her still on it.
He then grabbed her by the neck with such force that she was choked, returned to the room, and struck her face with his palm.
During the assault, he threatened her that she would "be dead in the morning".
She described to officers how White Turner shouted, "Where are all your friends now?
No-one is going to hear you.
You’re going to die," with saliva visible, indicating his anger.
The woman expressed fear that she was going to be killed and was so shocked that she did not feel the pain from her injuries.
When Gardaí arrived, White Turner, who claimed to be a boxer, was aggressive and intoxicated.
He told them to "fuck off" and showed hostility, cursing and threatening a Garda officer, while also being uncooperative.
A victim impact statement was submitted for the court but was not read aloud.
Barrister Mr Simon Gillespie, representing White Turner and instructed by solicitor Mr Martin Burke, described his client as a 48-year-old man with only a speeding conviction.
He stated that White Turner, a chef at the time residing in Donegal, now lives in Cork with a new partner.
Gillespie expressed that his client felt remorse, regret, and shame for his actions and the harm caused.
He highlighted that White Turner had offered €3,500 to the victim as a token of apology, reflecting his efforts and savings.
While a probation report was not entirely favourable, suggesting White Turner did not accept some of the victim’s account, Gillespie said his client now fully accepts her version, attributing some denial to intoxication.
He added that White Turner wished to participate in the Choices programme starting in January and requested the court show leniency, supported by two references.
Upon sentencing, Judge Aylmer described the attack as "very serious" and characterised by credible threats to kill.
The judge stated it was highly believable the victim thought her life was in danger, and the attack caused long-lasting trauma, requiring therapy and medication, with ongoing fears and insecurity.
Considering the severity, the judge initially recommended a four-year sentence but noted White Turner’s lack of prior convictions and chose to reduce the punishment.
He rejected assertions that the Probation Service misjudged the case, pointing out White Turner’s history of protection orders and high risk of future violence.
The judge treated White Turner’s plea as early and reduced the sentence to three years, suspending the last year for 12 months to focus on rehabilitation.
White Turner was ordered to keep the peace, behave well for a year, and remain under Probation Service supervision, with all directions to be followed.
