An Armagh man who seriously assaulted another and stole a car has been spared prison.
Stephen James Fox, with an address of Inverary Avenue in Belfast but formerly of Corrigan Court, Armagh, appeared before Newry Crown Court for sentencing on Monday morning.
The 47-year-old assaulted a man – causing grievous bodily harm – in a flat in Corrigan Court on October 31, 2021.
He was also charged with burglary, theft of a vehicle, taking a car without authority, no driving licence and using a car with insurance.
Fox, who has a significant criminal record, had his sentencing hearing deferred for a considerable length of time on order to prove to the court that he could stay out of trouble and away from drugs.
On Monday, prosecution barrister Fiona O’Kane confirmed that Fox had abided by the conditions and advised His Honour Judge Ramsey KC that a non-custodial sentence was the most likely outcome on this occasion, given the previous judge’s comments at an earlier hearing.
Ms O’Kane confirmed that Fox had remained trouble-free and had his medical regime in order.
Judge Ramsey imposed a 28-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for grievous bodily harm, and 12 months suspended for two years on the burglary and theft of a vehicle charges.
The sentences will run concurrently to each other.
Addressing Fox over the videolink, Judge Ramsey, said: “Now what that means Mr Fox, is that if you continue as you have been doing, and stay out of trouble, stay away from coming to police attention, and you don’t commit any further offences within the next two years, you’ll hear no more about the matter, but if you do come to police attention…you’ll find this series of sentences – 28 months in total – will be put into effect consecutively to any new sentences imposed.”
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