A police officer who assaulted his de facto partner during an argument over an unpaid electricity bill has been jailed.
He will serve three months in prison immediately, with the remaining six months suspended for a period of three years.
Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne imposed the sentence on Tuesday after the officer pleaded guilty to the offence.
The court heard that the officer repeatedly punched his partner in the forehead, arms, and hands during the incident on June 7, which was later reported to the Samabula Police Station. The officer asked the court not to record a conviction, saying he planned to travel overseas for work. But Magistrate Somaratne refused, describing the offending as serious and aggravated by domestic violence.
The magistrate stated that a custodial sentence was warranted, particularly given that the offender was a serving police officer.
