Man (40) convicted of assault after approaching woman who was pushing a child in a buggy in Larne Main Street
A 40-year-old man has been convicted of assault after approaching a woman as she pushed her 18-month-old granddaughter in a buggy at Main Street, Larne.
Vladislav Arefjev, with an address listed as Ballycraigy Ring, Larne, was charged in relation to January 15 2025.
At Ballymena Magistrates Court the defendant, from Lithuania, had the assistance of an interpreter. He had a record.
The court was told a woman was pushing a buggy when the defendant, who was unknown to her, approached.
A prosecutor said: "I think he was speaking but she obviously doesn't understand. She felt, it was her honest belief, that he was trying to reach for the grandchild, whether that is true or not. She honestly feared for herself and for the grandchild at that point."
The woman had previously given evidence when the case had been fixed for a contest. It proceeded, on an earlier date, though the defendant did not appear.
The case was adjourned to May 28 for a pre-sentence report.