A Tandragee man who could not remember assaulting another male outside a fast food restaurant has been warned that now due to his age he can “go to Maghaberry”.
Court heard that the 21-year-old claimed he only knew about the assault after being shown CCTV footage weeks after the incident.
Ross Hardy, of Woodview Park, pleaded guilty to common assault at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Court heard that on October 28, 2017, police were approached by the injured party who said they had been assaulted at the McDonald’s in Portadown.
He stated that the defendant had grabbed him by the throat and pulled him across the windows on the fast food restaurant.
Officers observed that the injured party’s neck showed signs of redness.
Hardy was identified by police after CCTV footage was viewed.
On January 23, the defendant was arrested and taken to Lurgan Custody Suite, where he made no reply after caution.
Once shown the CCTV footage, Hardy acknowledged that it had been him but claimed he could not remember as he had been intoxicated at the time.
Defence solicitor Gabriel Ingram stated: “This is a plea at the first opportunity and Mr Hardy had nothing on his criminal record at the time.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly replied: “Other than a caution for assault, that is.”
She added: “You should be worried if you are being interviewed about an assault which you have no recollection of.
“You are now 21, which is good news because you can go to Maghaberry now.”
Hardy was ordered to pay a fine of £350, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 12 weeks.
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