Man who had been accused in relation to alleged incident in Antrim town has charges dismissed after contest
A man who had been accused of possessing a 'long metal hooked implement' and a 'long baton' as offensive weapons at Six Mile Water Caravan Park in Antrim town, contested the allegations and has had the charges dismissed.
Christopher Maughan (27), with an address listed as 'within the vicinity of Delamont Country Park' near Downpatrick, was alleged to have committed offences on October 23 last year. A charge of assault was withdrawn by prosecutors.
Ballymena Magistrates Court was told there was a report of an "ongoing disturbance in the area of the Six Mile Water Caravan Park".
A prosecutor said that the initial report indicated that "weapons were involved" and that somebody reportedly had a "machete" and that "weapons were being used".
Police attended and noted that Christopher Maughan had cuts to his face and a swollen nose. A window in a van belonging to another person had been damaged.
Christopher Maughan reportedly had a "baton-style" implement and a long metal hooked implement in the boot of a vehicle. The accused told police a person approached him like a "raging bull".
Christopher Maughan claimed an attempt was made by a person to use a van to "kill" him. A prosecutor said there was no CCTV and it was a "circumstantial case".
The defendant told the court he had no record and had never been in trouble with the police.
He said one of the items he was charged over was for holding the bonnet of a vehicle up and said another item was for removing slates during his job as a roofer in England.
He told the court he was "attacked" by others in Antrim and he said he had not tried to injure anybody. He said his injuries included a broken nose.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said there was no evidence of the items being used as weapons and dismissed the charges against the defendant.
Another man is due to appear in court at a later date in connection with October 23.