Stephen Burns, aged 40 and with no fixed abode, received an eight-month prison sentence at Belfast Crown Court. Judge Philip Gilpin imposed the term for offences committed on May 14 last year. Burns must serve ten additional months on supervised licence upon release.

Burns entered the woman's home uninvited despite her refusal. He kicked furniture and doors. He screamed threats to kill her and to smash her head. He blocked her exit and spat in her face. Their young son witnessed the events.

The woman contacted her sister for police assistance while Burns permitted her a bathroom break. She took their son to a shop and alerted PSNI officers nearby. Burns fled, jumped from a height, and broke his right ankle.

Officers arrested Burns and found him possessing a strip of the Class C drug Pregabalin. In police interview, Burns admitted kicking furniture and threatening to punch her. He expressed regret.

Burns pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, common assault, threats to kill, and attempted criminal damage. Four charges involved domestic abuse aggravation. He also admitted drug possession.

Judge Gilpin activated an 18-month total sentence, noting the uninvited entry into the woman's home with a child present. Burns has 166 prior convictions, including past domestic abuse against the same victim. A five-year restraining order bars Burns from contacting her directly or indirectly.