Footballer knocked out team-mate's teeth after game - court told

Adrian William Thompson (24) of Woodvale Park pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at North Antrim Magistrates Court.

The court was told Thompson and the injured party were playing for Coleraine Crusaders at Anderson Park on Saturday 28 November last year.

After the game Thompson was said to have confronted the injured party who had started a relationship with Thompson's ex-partner.

At least one punch was thrown by Thompson causing the other man to lose two teeth, the court heard.

The injured party required extensive dental treatment which is believed to have cost 420 to date.

When interviewed by police in relation to the incident Thompson admitted the offence.

He said he threw just one punch and didn't intend to hurt the injured party who was a former close friend.

A defence solicitor handed District Judge Richard Wilson a number of character references on behalf of Thompson, including one from the manager of the Coleraine Crusaders team.

The solicitor said his client had been aggrieved not by the relationship between his former friend and ex-partner but that he had been unable to see his daughter.

"Up until then they had been good friends, they had been team-mates," said the defence solicitor.

"It was a case of the red mist descending.

"Whenever Thompson found out about the relationship the injured party denied it and that aggravated the situation."

The solicitor said the injured party was no longer in a relationship with the woman and no longer played for Coleraine Crusaders.

He said his client apologised for the incident and had no intention of causing the injuries.

District Judge Richard Wilson told Thompson: "Whatever the background your behaviour was not acceptable.

"There are ways to sort things out...the way you sorted it out was totally wrong."

Thompson was ordered to pay the injured party 500 compensation and was bound over for two years on the sum of 500.

"Don't you be back again, is that quite clear?" said Mr Wilson.