Man who subjected wife to 'erratic and volatile' behaviour spared prison

58-year-old sentenced for domestic abuse

A Douglas man who subjected his wife to nine months of ‘erratic and volatile behaviour’ has narrowly avoided being sent to prison.

Darren Michael Bardsley, of Ballafletcher Road, put glue in the locks of the marital home before going on to assault his partner of 30 years during a campaign of domestic abuse.

Between 5 January and 30 September the 58-year-old caused the woman physical or psychological harm by putting bolts on the door, causing extensive damage around the house and punching her.

He also splattered paint over the fridge and kitchen cupboards, swore at her and assaulted her with a pillow; the latter he said he’d done to give her a ‘reality check’.

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During sentencing at Douglas Courthouse Bardsley’s advocate told the court: “This is a relationship heading for divorce.”

Bardsley had also admitted assaulting another woman at The Thirsty Pigeon on 27 June – he struck the employee’s neck with a lighter shouting ‘taser’ after he was asked to leave the pub.

Imposing a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood described the incident with the lighter as a ‘juvenile, nasty and spiteful offence’.

Referencing the abuse towards his wife she added: "It must have been a terrifying experience."

Deputy High Bailiff Braidwood acknowledged that Covid-19 had caused a ‘real deterioration’ in Bardsley's mental health due to the loss of his business. 

Placing him under an 18-month suspended sentence supervision order, and instructing him to pay £250 in prosecution costs and £250 in compensation, she also enforced a Domestic Abuse Protection Order and Licensing Act Ban.