Maghera man assaulted ‘a man he didn’t know’, court told

Before the court was 28-year-old David Moore, of Clarke Avenue, Maghera, who was placed on probation for 12 months with the condition that he takes part in alcohol and drugs counselling.

Moore was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service and pay £250 compensation to the injured party.

Moore admitted charges of assault, disorderly behaviour and possessing mephedrone, on August 24-25 last.

He also admitted damaging an electricty meter and dishonestly using electricity without authority to the value of £653, belonging to Power NI, between February 2012 and March 2013.

Dealing with the public order charges, a PPS lawyer said police spoke to the defendant who accepted he had assaulted a man he didn’t know.

Continuing, she said on October 3 last Moore was arrested after it was found the electricity meter box in his home had been damaged.

Defence barrister Liam McStay stressed the defendant had repaid the electricity he had used dishonestly and there was about £100 outstanding.

Referring to the assault, Mr McStay said the CCTV footage showed that defendant had carried out an assault but he had not entirely been in the wrong, and the injured party had later approached him aggressively.