Adopted ‘hard man attitude’

Adam Potts (18), whose address was given to the court as Pine View Court, Gilford, admitted common assault on January 17 this year.

As well as the compensation Potts was given 200 hours community service.

The court was told police spoke to the injured party.

The 17-year-old said he had been in Gilford with friends when he was approached by the defendant who said ‘give me a reason’.

The victim wanted to know what this was and Potts became aggressive and verbally abusive before punching him to the face and running off.

There was swelling, redness and scrapes on the injured party’s face.

When interviewed by police Potts accepted punching his victim saying this was because he was ‘slabbering’.

A solicitor representing the defendant said that Potts would say the injured party had made a remark and that provoked the assault.

She added that the defendant knew his behaviour was unacceptable and in the pre-sentence report he showed an understanding of the impact on the victim.

The solicitor asked the court to endorse the recommendation in the report for community service.

Potts had a record but that was in the youth 
court.

District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, said this was the defendant’s first appearance in the adult court.

He added that he was concerned about the defendant’s attitude in confronting people on the street and acting the hard man with an innocent passer-by.

Judge Copeland warned Potts that if he repeated this behaviour he would end up in jail.

“It is intolerable to behave this way,” said the judge.