Man Jailed for Violent Assault on Partner in Belfast

A Belfast man who punched his partner in the face inflicting significant facial injuries was jailed for 15 months today (Tuesday). Violent Assault

Robert Lorn McLuckie will spend an additional 15 months on licence when he is released from prison for the August 2023 attack. From Mill Valley Road, the 47-year old was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court by Judge Gordon Kerr KC. He pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm upon Eva Komuves on August 11, 2023 and to assaulting her occasioning actual bodily harm on August 19, 2021. Ms Komuves recently spoke at the PSNI’s launch of their ‘Power to Change’ campaign which is aimed at urging men and boys to help play their part in affecting a cultural and societal shift. The court heard that on August 11, 2023 McLuckie and Ms Komuves became embroiled in a row which escalated into violence. After grabbing Ms Komuves by the arms and threatening to hit her, McLuckie then punched his partner in the face. This caused Ms Komuves to fall against a kitchen cupboard and she recalled feeling her teeth detaching and blood in her mouth. When she spoke to police about the violent incident, Ms Komuves also told them about a prior attack which McLuckie carried out on August 19, 2021. On that occasion, she questioned McLuckie about information on a dating site and he responded by losing his temper punching her on the nose. As a result of this attack, Ms Komuves attended hospital where her nose was re-set. Referencing a dental surgeon’s report in the aftermath of the August 2023 assault, a Crown barrister told Judge Kerr that this set out the treatment Ms Komuves has already undergone and projected treatment amounting to £12,000 which may be required. Defence barrister Sean O’Hare also addressed the Judge and said that despite McLuckie initially blaming Ms Komuves, his client now “accepts full and unequivocal responsibility for what happened”. Mr O’Hare added that McLuckie was “fully aware” that the custody threshold “has been passed”. Judge Kerr spoke of the “aim and discomfort” suffered by Ms Komuves as well as the expensive dental treatment and the “cosmetic problems” she has experienced. Branding the offending as “serious”, Judge Kerr said that whilst he had taken into consideration McLuckie’s clear criminal record and good working history, a period of custody for the domestic violence was required and he imposed the 30-month sentence. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.