A Caledon man has been jailed for his latest spate of offending which occurred while he awaited sentencing for multiple other matters.
However, despite being handed the latest prison sentence for punching a woman and a 91-year-old man, repeat offender Jody Dowzell (26) of Castle Hill will be freed imminently.
Dungannon Magistrates Court heard on May 20 last year police responded to a report that a woman had been assaulted by an unknown male.
She was sitting alone in her vehicle in Main Street, Caledon, when Dowzell knocked on the window and asked to borrow her car.
She replied, “No – I don’t know you.”
Dowzell responded, “Well take this then” and punched the woman in the face before running off.
The victim was left with a bleeding nose and while force was used, the matter was kept at a lesser assault as it was contended Dowzell did not damage the car or try to seize the keys.
A witness went to the woman’s aid and observed Dowzell running away, followed by the sound of bins being knocked over.
He then saw Dowzell punch the elderly male in the face, who was knocked to the ground.
The witness chased Dowzell who ran off over fences and out of sight.
The elderly victim explained Dowzell confronted him in the kitchen, demanding to know if he had a car then lashed out.
A defence barrister said Dowzell was recently sentenced for a host of other offending including punching another random stranger – also in Caledon – “because he was annoyed”.
The defence felt, “It might help the court to know that following arrest and remand in custody the defendant spent some time in a psychiatric facility, which may explain some aspect of offending but does not provide an excuse.”
However it was accepted Dowzell was deemed fit for court and was discharged back to Maghaberry Prison where he remained ever since.
District Judge Natasha Fitzsimmons noted he was released on bail for the previous assault on a random man and just five days later, “Attacked two strangers – a woman in her car and a 91-year-old man in his home. These are clearly aggravating features.”
She sentenced Dowzell to four months imprisonment for each assault to run consecutively making a total of eight months.
However, due to time served on remand he will be freed very shortly.
Restraining Orders were also granted for the two victims, banning Dowzell from any form of contact with them for two years.
Back in November, he was jailed for matters which in order of occurrence began when he stole a Range Rover from a farm on March 5, 2022, damaging it in the process.
It was located the following day outside Dowzell’s home with the keys still in the ignition.
Then on November 4, 2023, police attended his home on an unrelated matter and during a search recovered 22gms of cannabis in two bags hidden in his bedroom.
He admitted this was for personal use and cost around £200.
Finally on May 15, last year, police attended an incident at Main Street, Caledon, where a man was found covered in blood.
He had been standing on a footpath when he was approached by an unknown male who swore then punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground.
This transpired to be Dowzell who was arrested close to the scene.
Prior to the incident he said he, “Got out of a car, saw an unknown man and punched him in the face because he was annoyed.”
For all offences a combined sentence of eight months imprisonment was imposed along with a two year driving disqualification.
