BY KEITH LACEY
A Sudbury man who beat up his former girlfriend was released from jail Monday after spending 42 days in custody. He has been put on probation for 18 months, ordered to stay away from her, and take counselling for domestic violence issues.
Michael Sarsfield, 54, pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm for hitting the woman, who he had shared "an on and off relationship" for some time, and causing serious damage to her eye, said assistant Crown attorney Kara Vakiparta.
The woman has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. In her victim impact statement, she said she no longer trusts any male and her self-confidence has vanished. She still has nightmares about the night she was punched in the eye and is still seeking psychological counselling.
The Crown attorney said the man and woman got into an argument over use of her computer and she bit him in the thumb. Sarsfield responded violently and punched her directly in one eye, causing serious damage.
A doctor who examined her said there might be permanent damage to the woman's eye, but he couldn't determine if the punch inflicted by Sarsfield was responsible, the Crown attorney said.
Three months before this incident, Sarsfield and the woman got into another argument. This time Sarsfield pushed the woman while she was sitting in her wheelchair. The woman suffered bruising and her wheelchair was slightly damaged.
Sarsfield was placed on probation for 18 months by Justice Andre Guay and ordered to take a partner assault response program, and any other counselling for anger management and alcohol abuse as might be recommended by his probation officer.
He was ordered to stay away from his victim and all members of her family.
Before sentence was imposed, Sarsfield apologized to the woman.
