A man was sentenced to 22 months today for strangling and assaulting a woman at a bus stop. Ryan Gerard Murray pleaded guilty to charges of non-fatal strangulation and assault causing bodily harm on May 30 last year. Judge Patrick Lynch KC stated that Murray, who is homeless, will serve half of the term in prison and the other half on supervised release at Belfast Crown Court.
A couple driving on Antrim Road in the northern part of the city witnessed a disturbing scene at a bus stop where a man was strangling a woman. Initially, the female driver thought CPR was being performed, but upon closer inspection, they realized the gravity of the situation. The man was identified as Murray.
The woman confronted Murray about money, leading to a physical altercation where Murray pulled her arm and punched her in the face. Alerted by the commotion, one of the male drivers intervened until police arrived. Both Murray and the woman appeared intoxicated, with the woman informing the police that she had been strangled by Murray.
Despite declining to make a formal complaint, Murray was arrested and later admitted to the charges during questioning. The court learned that Murray and the victim were acquainted but not involved in a domestic abuse situation. The prosecutor highlighted that a significant portion of Murray’s prior convictions were related to substance abuse.
Murray’s lawyer acknowledged his client’s struggles with addiction and expressed remorse on his behalf. The Probation Report indicated Murray’s willingness to change his life for the better. While sentencing Murray, Judge Lynch emphasized the severe consequences of non-fatal strangulation on victims’ physical and mental well-being. Since being in custody, Murray has engaged with addiction services and maintained sobriety, showing signs of progress in addressing his issues.