Man Who Attacked Girlfriend after She Miscarried Their Baby Is Spared Jail

Joseph Gallacher who beat up his girlfriend after a miscarriage has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Gallacher, 20, from Harpurhey, Manchester, broke Natasha O’Callaghan's nose after a miscarriage. He then forced her to go onto her mobile banking and transfer $636.53 to his account. However, he has walked free from court after blaming his behavior on being "immature."

"Your behavior is nothing short of shameful and you should feel that. It's said you were a young man and immature. That much is evident."

During their relationship in 2017, Gallacher would threaten other men at her college because of jealousy. In attempts to evoke a reaction from them, he would use O’Callaghan's mobile phone to send messages to male companions, calling them "babe."

He also restricted the nursing student, then 19, from seeing her loved ones and was even disallowing her of wearing makeup and getting dressed up to go out.

In one occurrence, Gallacher threw a candle and a TV remote at her when she declined his sexual advances. He was caught after he lured O’Callaghan to a field and attacked her after she disclosed to him she had lost their baby.

During the incident, he forced her to give him $636.53 and also stole one of her mom's rings. Gallacher faced up to five years jail after he pleaded guilty to engaging in controlling or coercive behavior, theft, and fraud at Manchester Crown Court.

However, after he claimed his conduct was due to being "young, immature and a little weirdo," he got away with 21 months imprisonment suspended for two years.

Patrick Field QC, the sentencing judge, told Gallacher: "You treated her with disdain and a complete lack of respect. You were repeatedly petulant and violent towards her and her property."

"She was belittled and she was not deserving of any of this," the judge added. "Your behavior is nothing short of shameful and you should feel that. It's said you were a young man and immature. That much is evident."

The judge continued that albeit numerous individuals will expect Gallacher to deserve a prison sentence, he believed that there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. "I don't want to see you again, but if I do, you know what will happen," he concluded.

Gallacher was then ordered to complete a domestic abuse program, 200 hours unpaid work, and pay compensation of $636.53 to Natasha. He was additionally made subject of a restraining order for five years.

Meanwhile, in Glossop, Derbyshire, Kat Robson was also assaulted by her husband, Anthony, but he was given a six-month jail term suspended for two years at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court after he agreed to go to a counseling program.

Violence against women is a significant public health problem and an infringement of women's human rights. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 35% of women worldwide have encountered either physical or potentially sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.

If you’re being subjected to an abusive relationship, you can call the National Domestic Violence Helpline at 0808 2000 247.