A man has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for strangling and punching a woman at a bus stop. Ryan Gerard Murray pleaded guilty to charges of non-fatal strangulation and assault causing actual bodily harm during the incident on May 30 last year.
Murray, who does not have a permanent address, will spend half of the term in prison and the other half on supervised release, as stated by Judge Patrick Lynch KC at Belfast Crown Court. The court heard that a couple driving along the Antrim Road in the northern part of the city witnessed the altercation at the bus stop, with one person lying on the ground and another on top of them.
Initially, the female driver of the passing car thought the person on top was providing CPR, but upon closer observation, it became evident that the man was strangling the woman. The couple then noticed another vehicle nearby honking its horn.
Both male occupants of the vehicles realized the severity of the situation and intervened as the pair continued to argue. The woman attempted to walk away, but Murray grabbed her arm and struck her once on the face. One of the male motorists positioned himself between the woman and Murray until police arrived.
Upon police arrival, it was observed that both Murray and the woman were under the influence of alcohol. The woman reported the strangulation to the authorities but did not file a formal complaint.
Following his arrest, Murray refused to answer questions during the interview but later admitted to the charges. The court was informed that while the victim and Murray were acquainted, the incident was not related to domestic abuse. The prosecutor highlighted that a significant portion of Murray’s prior convictions were associated with substance abuse issues.
Murray’s legal representative acknowledged the impact of addiction on his client’s life and noted efforts to address these issues. The Probation Report indicated Murray’s genuine remorse and recognition of the need for a lifestyle change. Judge Lynch commended Murray’s progress in addressing his addiction while in custody and emphasized the serious nature of the offenses, particularly the lasting effects of non-fatal strangulation on victims.