Suspended prison sentence as man head-butted his own aunt

He was Joseph Paul McKenna (27), of Cafolla Gardens, Lurgan, and he admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on May 31 this year.

He was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay the injured party £100 compensation.

The court heard that at 12.35am police were called to a domestic incident at Moyraverty Court in Craigavon.

They spoke to the injured party who was distressed and said the defendant, her nephew, had head-butted her.

Mr Conor Downey, defending, said McKenna had a considerable amount of alcohol taken but accepted there was no excuse for his behaviour.

Mr Downey said there was a favourable recommendation in the pre-sentence report and asked judge not to deal with the matter with immediate custody.

Deputy District Judge Amanda Brady said it was a very unpleasant incident where McKenna had hit his aunt.