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"I truly believed I would die that night": Afghani man beat pregnant wife unconscious after argument over her new job

Date
2017-12-11
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin domestic‑violence case, 28‑year‑old Afghan national Muhammed Tajik pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to his pregnant wife, Susan Walmsley, after a dispute over her new job. On 8 December 2015, Tajik grabbed Walmsley's neck, punched her until she passed out, and left her with a fractured jaw, eye socket injury, neck wound and swollen neck. He drove her to A&E, where she received treatment. Walmsley, a mother of two, described the assault as brutal, stating she feared she would die that night. The court noted her ongoing trauma, including panic attacks, PTSD and suicidal thoughts. Judge Patrick McCarthy sentenced Tajik to three years' imprisonment, citing the severity of the violence and the lack of provocation. Walmsley expressed shock at the sentence length and urged other abuse victims to seek help.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "I truly believed I would die that night": Afghani man beat pregnant wife unconscious after argument over her new job. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to Susan Walmsley at a flat on Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin on December 8, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: I received the injuries because I wanted to leave, I had enough," she said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Muhammed Tajik

Defendant

Charges: assault causing harm to Susan Walmsley at a flat on Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin on December 8, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Speaking outside court, Ms Walmsley (38) said she was very surprised at the length of the sentence imposed on Tajik as it was a lot more than she was expecting.

Susan Walmsley

Convicted Person

Charges: assault causing harm to Susan Walmsley at a flat on Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin on December 8, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Credit: Collins) A "martial arts expert" who punched his pregnant wife unconscious and fractured her jaw, has been jailed for three years. Speaking outside court, Ms Walmsley (38) said she was very surprised at the length of the sentence imposed on Tajik as it was a lot more than she was expecting.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Incident

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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