Man found guilty of assault

Joseph Gibson (20) of Church Street in Portstewart had been contesting the charge of common assault, however he failed to appear at North Antrim Magistrates’ court on Friday morning when his case was to be dealt with.

Court heard that on August 7 last year police were called to Church Street in Portrush, following a report that a male had been assaulted.

The injured party told police that the defendant had punched him five times in the face.

The defendant was interviewed later that day, and told police that as he was walking to work, the injured party drove alongside him in a car and laughed at him.

He then asked what the problem was and alleged that as the injured party came towards him he grabbed him.

District Judge Richard Wilson found Gibson guilty of the assault, and issued a warrant for his arrest.

He will be sentenced at a later date.