‘Squared up’ to man after girlfriend assaulted

Twenty-four-year-old Peadar Nash, Conor Park, Lurgan, admitted last Wednesday at Craigavon Magistrates Court a charge of disorderly behaviour on March 16 this year.

The court heard that at 1.40am police were driving along William Street when they saw two males squaring up to each other. Their foreheads were touching.

They spoke to the defendant and tried to calm him down. He said: “I’ll f—king have him.”

Nash was very aggressive and had his arms tense and asked police to ‘just go away’. He then walked away and the other person went in the opposite direction.

As police turned their vehicle they saw Nash run towards the other person but he was stopped by a friend.

The defendant, who was in an agitated and aggressive state, told police: “Get the f—k off me. It’s none of your business.” He also called them black b—ds.

Mr Peter Murphy, representing the defendant, said this was not a matter where alcohol was involved.

He explained that Nash’s girlfriend had been badly assaulted by the other individual and that person had made remarks about his girlfriend.

He added that the other person had goaded the defendant. There was no difficulty with police when Nash was arrested.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said he was concerned in the light of the verbal abuse and adjourned the case for a short sentence report until April 23.

He added that community service was something he would consider. There was an anger issue and probation was another option.