Ordered to compensateattack victim

Stephen Barry (26), Richmount Gardens, Lurgan, was also sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for three years, for assault occasioning actual bodily harm on April 27, 2013.

The court heard that at 1.30am the injured party was standing outside a takeaway in Church Place, Lurgan, when the 
defendant came up from the direction of William Street with another male and a female.

The female went over to the partner of the injured party and assaulted her. The injured party tried to intervene and was attacked by the defendant and the other male.

The victim was hit a number of times and fell to the ground where he was struck on the head a number of times.

Barry was later interviewed by police and he denied assault saying the injured party had assaulted him.

The victim suffered a fracture to his eye socket. There was a co-accused who faces the same charge as the defendant.

A barrister for Barry said he was a man of good character who had secured work in England.

Deputy District Judge, Mr Neil Rafferty, told Barry he had got involved in an assault which was not sparked by him but by two females.

He added that what was absolutely clear was that when the injured party was on the ground Barry had punched him.

The court regarded kicking as using a weapon but the defendant did not have that aggravating feature, said the judge.

He said it was a ‘violent and savage attack’ but a pre-sentence report had identified the defendant as at a ‘very low likelihood of re-offending’.

“This case should be a lesson to you,” the judge told Barry. “If you take too much drink and a row starts then make peace and do not act like a thug.”