Man was knocked out by one punch

Forty one year old Owen Millar, Rectory Park, Lurgan, was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months, for assault occasioning actual bodily harm on June 2.

A concurrent one month suspended term was imposed for disorderly behaviour on the same date.

The court heard that around 2.45pm at the junction of William Street and North Street police found a man lying on the ground. He had been punched in the face and knocked unconscious.

He refused medical attention and did not say who assaulted him. There was blood coming from his mouth and he was in a disorientated state.

Police spoke to other people at the scene and the defendant said he had no idea what happened.

Millar, who was intoxicated, was verbally abusive and when he approached the injured party there was a verbal altercation.

The defendant had to be restrained by friends and continued to use abusive language.

CCTV showed that Millar was the person who assaulted the injured party a short time before the arrival of the police.

When he was cautioned he said he had been drinking throughout the day and had no clear recollection of events.

A barrister representing the defendant said that a pre-sentence report contained positive factors.

He added that his client was ashamed of what he had done and had shown remorse for his actions. What happened had a salutary effect on him.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said he was concerned that Millar was on probation and seemed to be doing well when this incident happened.

He said that the language Millar used, which was not read out in court, was quite disgraceful.

The judge felt that the offence passed the custody threshold.