Man (21) who punched his best mate’s ex-girlfriend on Louth street warned he could go to jail
The Drogheda IndependentA 21-year-old man who punched his best friend’s ex-girlfriend in the head has been warned that the “greater likelihood is a custodial sentence” when his case was adjourned.
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. She had accepted €2,000 compensation.
Gda James Smith said that earlier 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.
The victim sustained a laceration to her right eye brow.
She identified her attacker who was arrested on the following November 30.
He told investigators that the woman took one swing at him and he swung back, hitting her once in the face “as an act of self defence”.
In a Victim Impact Statement the injured party said that she felt hot fluid running down her face. There was blood on her hands and the front of her dress.
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 continued that she was still traumatised. She was left with a scar and didn’t socialise as much.
Mr Chiduza had no previous convictions at the time but has since picked up 11, including one for obstruction. The others are under the Road Traffic Act, among them four for dangerous driving.
Cross-examined by barrister Donough McDonough, instructed by solicitor Frank McDonnell, Gda Smith said there was no medical report. He arrived at the scene at 12.40am.
An eight-second video showed part of the interaction.
The defendant’s parents were decent people shocked by what occurred.
Mr McDonough said that the accused had pleaded guilty on a trial date.
He was 18 at the time of the offence when he foolishly got involved in an argument. Self-defence was not being put forward. It appeared he was pushed and “completely overreacted”.
There was no excuse. He made a previous attempt to apologise.
Mr Chiduza’s father was in court. His parents, from Zimbabwe, moved to Ireland 25 years ago.
He was a recruitment manager in his mother’s healthcare business; and bought and sold cars and had registered his own company. His father was a mechanic.
The defendant had a strong worth ethic.
He was remorseful, and was assessed at low risk of reoffending.
Adjourning the sentence hearing to October 14, Judge Dara Hayes said “the greater likelihood is a custodial sentence”.
He added there was substantial mitigation.
Troy Chiduza was remanded on the same bail terms.