MARTIN FITZGERALD FROM REDDITCH SENTENCED AFTER DOMESTIC ABUSE CASE IN BIRMINGHAM

A man identified as Martin Fitzgerald, aged 39 and residing on Collingwood Road in Birmingham, has been handed a prison sentence of 30 months following his conviction on multiple charges related to domestic abuse and related offences. The sentencing took place at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, 27 March, where Fitzgerald faced a series of serious allegations that culminated in his conviction.

Among the charges he was found guilty of are a count of intentional strangulation, which indicates an attempt to restrict the victim's breathing deliberately, and two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, reflecting physical violence that resulted in injuries. Additionally, Fitzgerald was convicted of two counts of criminal damage to property valued under £5000, suggesting he caused damage to property during the course of his abusive behavior. His record also includes two counts of assault by beating, further emphasizing the physical nature of his violence.

Fitzgerald's criminal activities extended to offences involving motor vehicles. He was convicted of taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent, a serious offence that involves unlawfully using someone else's vehicle. He also faced charges of driving a motor vehicle without a valid license and operating a vehicle on public roads without third-party insurance, both of which are violations of traffic laws and regulations.

In addition to his prison sentence, Fitzgerald was subjected to a seven-year restraining order, which prohibits him from making any contact—either directly or indirectly—with the victim. This order aims to protect the victim from further harassment or abuse. Furthermore, Fitzgerald was disqualified from driving for a period of 21 months, reflecting the seriousness of his traffic-related offences.

Detective Inspector Laura Douglas, a representative of the Protecting Vulnerable People team, expressed her admiration for the victim's bravery, stating, “Above anything else, I admire the strength and courage of the victim in this case. I hope her bravery encourages others who may find themselves in a similar position to come forward and report to us.” She emphasized the commitment of law enforcement to take all reports of domestic violence seriously, adding, “We will act on all reports made and offer our full support to anyone who feels they are a victim of domestic violence – as this case shows both we, the police, and the courts take any reports of domestic abuse very seriously.”

Detective Inspector Douglas also praised the investigation team for their determination in bringing Fitzgerald to justice, noting that even during the investigation, Fitzgerald continued his abusive actions, demonstrating a clear lack of remorse. This case underscores the ongoing efforts by authorities in Birmingham and Redditch to combat domestic violence and protect vulnerable individuals from harm.