“The more I screamed, the more he put his hands around my throat”- Victim’s nine-hour-long attack hell

“My whole face was busted open. My nose was black and there was blood everywhere. My hair was ripped to shreds.”

A Co Down man was remanded in custody today (Thursday) to be sentenced next week for domestic abuse offences. Judge Gordon Kerr KC said he would sentence Colin Adair next Thursday, September 25, for an attack on his then partner. Adair (38), of The Mill Caravan Park, Moss Road, Millisle, previously pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and making threats to kill. He also admitted to an offence of non-fatal strangulation and a charge of domestic abuse. The guilty pleas were entered on the morning of his trial in June this year, and the victim had travelled from England to give her evidence.

Belfast Crown Court heard that offences were committed over a nine hour period between January 23 and January 24, 2024 during which both had consumed alcohol and drugs. Prosecution counsel David Russell KC told the court: “This was a prolonged incident between 9 pm and 6 am the following morning involving punches and kicks. “There were repeated physical assaults which left bruises on the victim’s body. There were threats to kill made to the victim and members of her family during the course of the attack.” Mr Russell outlined how, during the assault, Adair was “on top of the victim who is lying on the floor with his hands around her neck and she described how she couldn’t breathe. He also punched her to her ear.” The court heard that during the course of the prolonged attack the victim urinated three times and was sick once. The victim later told police that the “more I screamed, the more he put his hands around my throat.” She said he also put his fingers up her nose and down her throat until “blood came out”. The victim added: “My whole face was busted open. My nose was black and there was blood everywhere. My hair was ripped to shreds.” Adair was subsequently arrested by police and denied assaulting and strangling her. Mr Russell told the court that the Victim Impact Statement “clearly indicates this is a case of high harm”. “She urinated herself three times during the lengthy assault which showed the loss of control she suffered,” said Mr Russell. “One can also see the personal changes she has had to make as a result of this attack. “The charges of non-fatal strangulation and domestic abuse are very serious offences and both require determinate sentencing.” He told the court the only mitigating factor was Adair’s guilty plea which came after a jury had been sworn in to hear the trial. The prosecution have applied for a restraining order and a Violent Offences Prevention Order (VOPO). Defence counsel Terence McDonald KC told the court there was no medical evidence to state the duration of the strangulation. “One of the reasons for that in all probability is that at the time of this allegation both parties were in a very disorderly state as they had been drinking quite a lot and that had become a pattern of the relationship,” said Mr McDonald. “But that is not to deflect away from the seriousness of what happened here.” Following prosecution and defence written and oral submissions, Judge Kerr said he would pass sentence next week and ordered prison officers to take Adair into custody.

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