Man jailed over family assault

A man, who admitted assaulting his partner, their new born daughter, and a neighbour before setting fire to his home has been jailed for three years.

The 21-year-old Belfast man cannot be named to protect the identity of his daughter.

He also agreed to serve 18 months' probation on his release.

Belfast Crown Court heard the man set fire to his home in east of the city on 3 June last year after a drunken row with his partner and a neighbour.

During the row, his partner was punched on the lip and the couple's two-week-old baby daughter hit her head on a door post.

The man later scuffled with a neighbour after his partner had sought refuge in her home.

Although police were called to the scene, the man was not arrested after his partner refused to make an official complaint.

However, they returned a short time later after the man was seen in his house breaking furniture and setting it on fire.

Defence QC Patrick Lyttle said although taken to hospital, no actual injuries, according to medical reports, were found on the baby girl.

However, he added that his client, as could be seen from pre-sentence probation reports, had expressed his deep and genuine shame and remorse for his actions that day.