A 39-year-old man, Wojciech Lubinski, has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years' imprisonment at Antrim Crown Court following a domestic-related assault in Ballymena last year. He will serve three-and-a-half years in custody, with the remaining two years on licence.

Lubinski was sentenced for grievous bodily harm aggravated by domestic abuse and a domestic abuse offence, relating to an incident in February 2023.

Detective Constable Simon Brown commended the victim's bravery, stating, "The victim has shown immense strength and commitment in supporting this case through the courts."

He described the incident as a "particularly harrowing ordeal" and praised the victim for seeking justice. "Seeing your case through the criminal justice system is a huge undertaking and by doing so she has displayed immense fortitude throughout," he added.

Detective Constable Brown emphasised the police's commitment to supporting victims of domestic abuse. "Domestic abuse is a terrifying and impactful crime and very often people who are being abused feel isolated, vulnerable and frightened and don't know where to turn," he said.

He urged anyone suffering from domestic abuse to come forward and report it to the police. "It is vital that victims know there is help available and I would encourage anyone suffering domestic abuse to come forward and report the matter to the police. We are here to help you and we will robustly investigate all allegations of abuse and fully support you through the criminal justice process. Please be assured that you can come forward in confidence and speak to detectives in Public Protection Branch who will treat you with sensitivity and respect."

Anyone suffering from domestic abuse can contact the police on the non-emergency number 101 or 999 in an emergency.