Man (21) avoids jail for punching woman in the face outside Louth pub

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A 21-year-old man who punched his best friend’s ex-girlfriend in the face has received a suspended sentence.

Troy Chiduza, College Manor, Hoey’s Lane, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm at Crowe Street on September 30, 2022.

The circuit court heard that the victim was left with a small scar and no longer socialises as much following the late night incident.

Judge Dara Hayes said it was “reprehensible behaviour” to punch a young woman in the face and that “fighting outside pubs and nightclubs” is serious.

He “somewhat reluctantly” imposed a 21-month suspended sentence.

Evidence was given last July that in Toale’s Bar where the injured woman’s ex-boyfriend was present with his new partner, a drink was thrown over her and she “responded in kind”.

Outside in Crowe Street Mr Chiduza approached and punched her over the right side of the head. He ran away.

He had no previous convictions at the time and had since picked up eleven, most for Road Traffic offences and one for obstruction of a Garda. He had not come to adverse attention since January 2024.

The victim sustained a laceration to her right eye brow. She didn’t want to go to hospital. She went to the Louth the next day and got the injury glued.

She was signed off work for three days, then three more, and lost a week’s wages. She had a black eye. There was an €85 hospital bill, while a new iPhone cost €1,000.

The victim accepted €2,000 compensation the last day and Mr Chiduza had a further €1,000 when the case was finalised.

The court heard that he was a hard worker in his mother’s business, while he had set up a business alongside his brother and mechanic father selling cars.

Judge Hayes said it was not any of the defendant’s business when he approached the woman and punched her in the face.

It appeared he had been wearing a ring that caused a laceration and left a small scar.

A probation report said he was at low risk of reoffending and free of all illicit substances which had caused trouble in the family when he was at risk of being asked to leave the family home.

Mr Chiduza realised he needed to change his ways. He no longer associated with negative peers. His pro-social family has a positive influence on him.

There was a concern about him minimising the offence, saying that he had responded to being struck.

He accepted that he was a lot stronger than the victim.

Judge Hayes remarked an aggravating factor was that this constituted male violence against a woman. It was to all effects entirely unprovoked.

The defendant had shown remorse and come up with restitution.

A sentence of 21 months was fully suspended for 21 months.

Conditions include that he place himself under Probation Service supervision for 12 months, and that the additional €1,000 is paid to the victim.