A Portadown man who was badly cut from a fall was being treated by his neighbour when he lashed out and headbutted him.
John Ivan Lucas, 54, of Stronge Court, appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ on Friday charged with criminal damage and common assault.
The incident occurred on January 28, when police were called to Stronge Court by the injured party after he claimed the defendant assaulted him.
Court heard that Lucas had turned up to the victim’s house intoxicated, with a deep cut on the bridge of his nose, which had been caused by a fall.
The neighbour then took the defendant into his house to treat the cut, but while he was doing this, Lucas lashed out and headbutted him.
The injured party managed to get the defendant out of the house and lock the door behind him.
It is at this point Lucas began kicking his neighbour’s door and slamming on his windows.
Defence counsel stated the defendant had been “unwise to attack this man” telling court there had been “friction between the two previously”, adding that Lucas had “lost his head” and the injured party had “showed restraint” and had “been the bigger man”.
The defendant has a previous and relevant record, the court heard.
Lucas’ defence argued that he had not offended in the last four to five years and on these occasions, alcohol had been a factor.
They went on to claim the defendant’s “mental health issues intertwined with his alcohol problems” had led to his offending.
District Judge Bernie Kelly sentenced Lucas to four months in prison suspended for two years.
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