Men involved in two assaults

Two young Lurgan men who were guilty of serious assaults were given suspended prison sentences last Friday at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

They were 20 year old Kristian McVitty, George Street, Lurgan, and 19 year old Stefan Duffy, Church Place, Lurgan.

McVitty was sentenced to four months in custody, suspended for 18 months, for assault occasioning actual bodily harm on one victim and given a two month suspended term for unlawful assault on another man.

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For assault occasioning actual bodily harm Duffy was also sentenced to four months in custody, suspended for 18 months.

Concurrent terms of three months and two months were imposed for assault on a police officer and assault on another victim.

Both defendants were ordered to pay £200 each to one of the injured parties and £100 each to the other victim.

The court heard that in Lurgan police saw McVitty hitting a male person about the head and Duffy kicked the same person.

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Police told them to stop fighting and they ran off to a vehicle. Police got them out of the vehicle and Duffy held on to an officer’s jumper causing her to fall backwards. She received bruising around her left eye.

A man had been attacked by both defendants outside a kebab shop and when his brother tried to protect him he was attacked as well.

He was struck to the side of the face and there was bruising to his arms and legs.

McVitty made no comment throughout his interview by police while Duffy denied getting involved.

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The case had been adjourned from a previous court so that pre-sentence reports could be obtained.

A barrister for Duffy said that alcohol had played its part but his client had expressed his remorse at what happened.

He had sorry he blemished his character in this fashion, added the lawyer.

McVitty’s barrister said his client was normally teetotal but had consumed alcohol as it was his birthday on this day.

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He added that coupled with medication he was taking this made him act the way he behaved.

District Judge, Mr Nigel Broderick, said that given the serious nature of the offences it was concerning that the defendants should make first appearances for assault.

He added that it was a case for custody but he would suspend the sentences.

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