Suspended prison term for man after attack

Suspended prison term for man after attack

4 December 2013

A BALLYNAHINCH man has received a suspended prison sentence for punching another man after he left a pub in the town.

Philip Smyth (29), of Loughside Drive, appeared at Downpatrick Court on Thursday charged with common assault.

When he left the Ramery Inn on September 15 last year Smyth was walking on High Street at 10.40pm when he met Mr. Peter Blaney.

Smyth knocked Mr. Blaney to the ground with a single punch to the head, leaving him with a cut lip and injury to his head.

Appearing at court with £750 compensation for Mr. Blaney, Smyth’s hope of leniency were dismissed when District Judge Greg McCourt described his actions as, “a serious assault.”

Judge McCourt gave Smyth a five month suspended prison sentence.