Magherafelt teenager head-butted man in row over damaged door

Ryan Millen (18), of Garden Street, Magherafelt, admitted assaulting Joe Shanks as he was leaving Meadowlane shopping centre in the town on March 5 last.

District Judge Alan White also ordered Millen to pay £100 compensation to the victim.

A prosecuting lawyer told the court that the defendant was arrested in connection with the assault later that day and taken to Dungannon custody suite, where he admitted assaulting Mr Shanks.

The barrister said Millen told police he had assaulted the injured party because he had damaged his front door the previous night, but did not provide a statement to police.

Mr Shanks had been head-butted on the rear of the head, and suffered swelling and a sore head, the lawyer added.

Admitting the offence Stephen Atherton, solicitor, explained that Millen had a difficult up bringing which had led him to abuse substances that had brought him into the criminal justice system.

Mr Atherton pointed out that there had been a two-year gap in the defendant’s offending until this incident. He said defendant was working and “motivated to change.”

Imposing penalties, Mr White told Millen that he was beginning to build up a record.