A former Manchester City footballer, Nevin Riches, has been convicted of assaulting his wife at their home in Barry, where he strangled her, pushed his thumb into her eye, and hit her with a table. The incident occurred on April 24, 2022, following an argument about Riches staying out late after a football match. During the assault, Riches made derogatory remarks, referring to his wife as “toxic”.
At the sentencing hearing in Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that after attempting to strangle his wife and push his thumb into her eye, Riches proceeded to strike her on the head with a side table. The prosecutor described how Riches continued to assault his wife, causing bruises on her head and arms. He also verbally abused her, calling her offensive names as she tried to escape to the bedroom. Following the incident, the victim reported the matter to the police, leading to Riches’ arrest.
Riches, who played as a youth for Manchester City and Wigan Athletic and teams in the Northern Irish Premiership, admitted to the assault occasioning actual bodily harm. In a victim personal statement read in court, the wife expressed feeling petrified and fearful for her life during the violent attack. She stated that the incident was a turning point in their marriage, eroding her trust in Riches.
In his mitigation, Riches’ barrister mentioned his client’s challenging upbringing in Northern Ireland during the 1970s and 80s, where he faced bullying and racial abuse. Despite accepting the end of the relationship, Riches expressed a desire to maintain a relationship with his children. However, Judge Shomon Khan condemned Riches’ actions, highlighting the severity of the offence and the breach of trust in the marital relationship.
As part of his sentence, Riches received a one-year imprisonment suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he was ordered to undertake a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement, attend 35 sessions of an accredited programme, and abide by a two-year restraining order. The court also emphasised the available support for victims of abuse, providing a list of helplines for individuals in need of assistance.
The case of Nevin Riches serves as a reminder of the prevalence of domestic violence and the importance of seeking help in such situations. The court’s decision to impose a suspended sentence underscores the gravity of the offence, aiming to hold the perpetrator accountable for his actions. Moving forward, it is crucial for society to continue efforts in supporting and protecting victims of domestic abuse while also addressing the root causes of such harmful behaviour.