Christopher Kyle Houston, 40, from Kintyre Park, has been sentenced to 46 months in prison, with half to be served behind bars, for a series of violent attacks on his estranged wife and children, culminating in a shocking incident on Christmas Eve last year.
Judge Fiona Bagnall, presiding over the case on Thursday, December 12, commended the bravery of the victims for their impact statements, highlighting the long-term psychological damage inflicted on the family.
She described Houston as controlling and violent, showing "no regard or respect" for his family members.
Houston pleaded guilty to nine charges, including domestic abuse, common assault, child cruelty, criminal damage, actual bodily harm, and theft.
The Christmas Eve incident saw Houston, heavily intoxicated, arrive at his former family home around 11pm against his wife's pleas. He accused her of turning the children against him, escalating to threats of violence.
His son, in an attempt to get help, ran from the house only to be chased by Houston, who also threatened the boy before leaving the scene.
Two months later, another violent episode unfolded when Houston was found attacking his daughter in her bedroom, throwing her phone against a wall and physically assaulting her.
The situation escalated further in the kitchen where he threw various household items, including an air fryer and a microwave, at his ex-wife, causing significant injuries including a head gash and a broken finger.
Judge Bagnall noted Houston's previous violent convictions, including a serious assault in 2004, and increased his sentence due to the domestic abuse aggravator and his high culpability.
The judge expressed concern over the deep trauma inflicted on the children, noting Houston's reluctance to fully accept responsibility for his actions.