The sentencing of a Redruth pensioner who carried out a string of horrific attacks on his wife of 22 years has been adjourned for psychiatric reports.
Peter O'Donnell, aged 82, of Pond Lanes End, Redruth was found guilty at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court in August of punching his wife in the face during a domestic dispute, causing her teeth to pierce her tongue and leaving a bloody scene.
He was sent to Crown Court for sentencing today (September 18). However the case was adjourned until November 13 for reports about him to be made.
The judge said he was concerned about O'Donnell's mental state and if released into the community with no support there was a likelihood of him reoffending against the same person again.
O'Donnell's defence barristers' told the judge that O'Donnell had told him that he could stay with friends if released but couldn't confirm who they were or where they lived.
The court heard that the attack occurred after his wife asked him to clean up his messy bedroom, which she described as “catastrophic.”
O'Donnell claimed she slipped on his diving gear, but magistrates rejected his account. He had also thrown a dog bowl of water over her and struck her with an uppercut. He then hid all phones to prevent her calling for help and fled the home, returning the next day.
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This latest conviction follows two previous assaults. In December, O'Donnell received a suspended sentence for attacking his wife with a wooden shoe horn, leaving her unconscious and bleeding. In April, he was given a conditional discharge after pouring a pan of hot beans over her head and pressing the pan down.
Despite denying the most recent charge of actual bodily harm, O'Donnell was convicted and remanded in custody pending sentencing at Truro Crown Court.
His wife previously told the court she felt trapped, saying: “I don’t love him, I don’t like him. I don’t have enough money to leave him.”
This morning O’Donnell appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing but the judge adjourned it until November 13 for a psychiatric report be prepared.
The judge said he was concerned about O’Donnell’s mental health and he wanted to find out what support social services could provide for care in the community.
He also said he didn’t feel the court had enough information to sentence O’Donnell and wanted a full psychiatric report.
O’Donnell was remanded in custody until that date.
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