Enniskillen Courthouse
A 22-year-old Lisnaskea man who attacked another man when he was dragged to the ground and kicked on the head in an assault which left his friend unconscious, has been handed a community service order.
Kyle Graham Ryan, of Kinmore Road, pleaded guilty to two charges of common assault when he appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates Court.
Ryan, who was released from prison in August, months after the attack, was ordered to serve 200 hours of community service.
A prosecutor outlined to the court that on May 26 last year, at approximately 2.30am, a man presented himself to the South West Acute Hospital after he suffered a number of injuries during an assault.
Police officers spoke with the injured party who explained that he had been set upon by a number of men outside the Castle Balfour Arms in Lisnaskea at approximately 1.30am earlier that morning.
It emerged that the injured man, Scott Long, was attacked by five men, one of whom was named as the defendant.
Mr Long was treated for cuts and swelling to his forehead while a statement was taken from four witnesses from the scene.
The prosecutor went on to explain that the group of five men had been in the Castle Balfour Arms prior to the assault and had been asked to leave following an incident between them and the injured party.
Mr Scott left and went to a different bar and rang a relative to come and collect him.
However, while he was waiting outside the bar, he was attacked by the five men.
It emerged that Mr Scott was dragged to the ground and kicked on the head while his friend was knocked unconscious and dragged along the ground.
It wasn’t until his friend’s girlfriend’s father arrived that they was pulled away from the fight.
He suffered swelling to his head and cuts and bruising to his hand.
Defence barrister Stephan Rafferty told the court that the probation report on Ryan was a positive one while describing him as a person who wants to ‘turn his life around’.
The court was told that Ryan did not breach a three year suspended sentence when he attacked Mr Scott.
It was also claimed that the accused has not drank alcohol since his release from prison and has ‘learned his lesson’.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said that despite the serious assault, the injuries sustained by Mr Scott were not severe.
He added: “It would have been a traumatic experience from the injured party.
“The author of your report states that you have made an extensive effort to change your lifestyle.
“In those circumstances and given the effort you have sought to turn your life around I am not going to impose a custodial sentence.”
Ryan was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service and pay £500 of compensation to Mr Scott.
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere