An intoxicated Bessbrook man who attacked two people after being refused a lift has been spared a prison sentence.
Patrick Anthony Ward, 31, of Dobson’s Way, appeared before Newry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, charged with common assault and criminal damage.
The public prosecutor told the court that on Friday, July 22, last year, just before 11:30pm, police received a report of an ongoing incident occurring in the vicinity of College Square East in Bessbrook.
When police arrived, the defendant – Ward – had been detained by a number of people at the scene.
They spoke to the victim, who stated that at 11:20pm he was stationary and parked in his red BMW with other occupants.
He told police that prior to trying to pull off, Ward opened the driver’s door to ask for a lift, and when it was declined, he became aggressive and violent, assaulting the driver by striking him to the upper body and head; however, no injuries were sustained.
The front-seat passenger then exited the vehicle to assist and was also struck.
Ring doorbell footage was made available and showed the defendant throw a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka at a grey Vauxhall Vivaro, causing substantial damage to the windscreen.
Deputy District Judge Natasha Fitzsimmons, reading from his record, remarked that Ward was just out of a suspended sentence for affray from the Crown Court and had a conviction for possession of an offensive weapon in April “and he does this”.
Ward’s defence barrister said that at the time of the offence, “he and his wife had split up” but that [issue] “has now settled”, which has resulted in a period of seven months without any offending.
He added: “The injured parties have not been distressed since that incident back in July and he has also not come to the attention of the police in any matter.”
“His mother [in attendance] is his biggest critic. She has confirmed to me that she is only here because he has changed his behaviour since this matter.”
Judge Fitzsimmons said: “This is a very serious matter. These are just individuals [going about their own business]…one of them was just in a car and you’ve then gone and attacked him.
“It has clearly passed the custodial threshold, but I am just persuaded to deal with you by way of a suspended sentence.”
On each charge, Ward was handed a five-month sentence, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to pay £300 to the victim of the assault and £350 compensation to the owner of the Vauxhall Vivaro.
