Thug who 'beat the crap' out of ex jailed for two and a half years

Tom Tuite

A repeat offender, who "beat the crap" out of his ex-fiancée shortly after serving a prison sentence for attacking her previously, has been jailed for two and a half years.

Kevin Bardon, 38, of Grange Crescent, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the woman on December 4th, 2023.

Judge Keenan Johnson, who had described the attack as disgusting, heard how gardaí were dispatched to the woman's Westmeath home shortly after midnight and saw the victim in an emotional state and "bleeding heavily from the back of her head".

The woman's hair was wet from bleeding. She had a cut and swelling to the left side of her forehead, swelling and bruising beneath her left eye, and a cut on the right eye.

Garda John Creegan told Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court, "There were visible cuts and scrapes to her neck and chest", and the woman was "uncontrollably" upset and told gardaí, "Kevin beat the crap out of me".

He was gone from the house when gardaí arrived.

Sentencing, Judge Johnson imposed a three-year, six-month sentence but suspended the final 12 months on condition Bardon does not reoffend in the next six years and stays off alcohol and illicit drugs.

Judge Johnson said the accused needed residential treatment for his addictions.

Post-release terms state that Bardon must follow the directions of the Probation Service and attend a spousal risk programme.

The garda witness had agreed with prosecutor Cathal Ó Braonáin BL that the victim was not fit to make a statement at that stage, and she was taken to hospital by ambulance.

However, she consented to her colleague, Garda Avril Clarke, taking photos of her injuries, which became exhibits at the hearing.

Initially, she refused to engage with gardaí about making a formal complaint because she was afraid. But just over a month later, she gave a brief statement saying Bardon was at her home having a few drinks when an argument broke out.

She refused to provide a victim impact statement for the court.

Unemployed Bardon was interviewed and admitted he was formerly engaged to the injured party, but had nothing further to say.

The accused, who has a long history of addiction problems, has 56 criminal convictions. Bardon's record included six for burglary and one for assault causing harm, 18 drug offences, as well as multiple road traffic and criminal damage offences.

In early 2023, he was jailed for eight months for attacking the same victim.

Garda Creegan agreed with the defence counsel the accused's guilty plea spared the victim the added trauma of a trial.

The court heard he had drink and drug problems and experiences of homelessness.

He told the court he was drunk on the night of the attack and that he was now sorry.

Earlier, a probation report indicated that he cut his Vodka intake from a litre to a naggin a day.

He had also claimed he was on medication, which causes a reaction that makes him violently ill if he takes heroin or methadone.

However, before he was remanded in custody last April, the judge stated the accused was still in the throes of addiction.