Drunken man enters wrong flat

Anthony Gordon Herron (49) from Rathmoyne House, appeared at Lisburn Magistrates Court this week to face two charges of common assault.

A third charge, of being found on premises for unlawful purposes, was dropped by the Prosecution Service.

The court heard that on August 2, 2014 the police attended Rathmoyne House after the occupant of a flat arrived home with her young child to find the defendant in her home. Herron had made a sandwich in the kitchen and was said to have become aggressive when she asked him to leave. The noise caused by the altercation drew the attention of the occupant’s sister and her husband, who went to the flat.

The court was told that the defendant threw a stool at the occupant’s sister. However. she was not injured.

He was also said to have clasped his fist as if to punch the occupant’s brother-in-law, who pre-emptively head butted the defendant.

Defence barrister Peter Coiley said the offences arose as a result of alcohol consumption by the defendant.

“This situation arose after the defendant came home after taking a large amount of drink,” said Mr Coiley.

“He tried to gain entry into what he thought was his own flat but he was on the wrong floor and an unpleasant scene unfolded.

“He appreciates he shouldn’t have committed the offences.”

District Judge Des Perry ordered the defendant to be bound over to keep the peace for a period of 12 months.

He imposed a levy of £200 on each of the two assault charges, which the defendant will have to pay if he breaches the order.

“This shows what can go wrong when you take too much drink,” Mr Perry told the defendant.

“Moderate your drinking. If you get into further bother you could be brought to court and that money demanded from you.”