Bantry man jumped into river to evade gardaí after smashing his way into ex's home

Accused pleaded guilty to trespass and two minor assaults

The accused said he had no idea why he entered his former partner's home. 

A 29-year-old Bantry man who frightened his ex-partner by smashing his way into her home in Skibbereen jumped into the river and swam across it to get away from pursuing gardaí.

Joshua Graddon, of Cúl Na Gréine, Bantry, Co Cork, was arraigned at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. He pleaded guilty to entering her home as a trespasser, assaulting her at his own home earlier, and also assaulting his housemate on April 21, 2020.