Man given two years for attacks on girlfriend

A man has been sentenced to two years in jail after a court heard how he set his girlfriend on fire a month before beating her with a poker.

Belfast Crown Court was told how 36-year-old Ian Baird lifted a poker and started to beat Sarah Clarke around the head, arms and legs, before dragging her to the floor and kicking her. She suffered a broken bone in her hand and severe cuts and bruises following the attack.

Ms Clarke later told police that Baird had poured lighter fluid over her legs and set them on fire, burning her feet a month before the poker incident.

Baird, who pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and to a further charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, will also serve a further year on probation after his release.

Meanwhile, a 27-year-old Belfast man was charged in court today with the attempted murder of a man at his home in the Laganside area of the city.

Paul Anthony Kennedy, from Cooke Street, Ormeau Road, stabbed 34 year-old Kevin Donnelly, from St. John`s Close in the area, with a kitchen knife.

Mr Kennedy strenuously denied the charges when they were read out to him.

He was remanded in custody for a month.

(MB)