Husband of top NYPD inspector escapes jail after admitting beating his wife

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated: 15:55 EST, 4 May 2011

The ex-detective who was charged with brutally beating his wife, an NYPD precinct commander with more than 20 years experience, has avoided a jail sentence by pleading guilty to lesser charges.

William Fowlkes, 47, followed his estranged wife, Deputy Inspector Juanita Holmes to the Long Island home of another man on March 21.

Police said that when she came outside, Fowlkes began beating her on the front lawn. She suffered several broken ribs from the attack and had to be taken to hospital.

Spared: Ex-detective William Fowlkes received no jail time after admitting to beating up his wife on misdemeanour charges

Another NYPD detective who owned the house and who Fowlkes said his wife was having an affair with, heard her screams and chased him off.

According to the New York Daily News, the 47-year-old pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and criminal trespass, both misdemeanors, and disorderly conduct, a violation.

A Suffolk County judge on Monday ordered Fowlkes to attend domestic violence classes.

Domestic attack: Deputy Inspector Juanita Holmes, 46, had to be taken to hospital with broken ribs after the beating

An order of protection was issued for Holmes, who returned to work last month.

At the time of the attack the couple had recently separated and were living in different apartments, according to the Daily News.

It is not known if Holmes was romantically involved with the man - a member of the NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force - who chased Fowlkes away.

President of the NYPD Captains Endowment Association, Roy Richter, told the Daily News: 'Inspector Holmes is a highly regarded police executive who is the victim of a terrible crime.

'She has the care and support of her friends and co-workers as she recovers from this traumatic act of violence.'

Holmes, who was recently promoted to run the 81st Precinct, is a 24-year NYPD veteran.

Her four sisters and a brother are also on the force. Another brother is a corrections officer and another is a bounty hunter.