A 20-YEAR-old who broke a man’s jaw in a ‘one punch’ attack has been ordered to pay compensation to the victim.
Andrew Warrington, of Derrycormick, Enniskillen appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with assault causing bodily harm.
On December 12th, during the early hours of the morning the injured party had been out at the Diamond in Enniskillen and became involved in an altercation. He told Police he went to assist a friend when he was punched on the left side of his jaw. A witness identified the defendant as the man who punched the injured party. Later, the victim went to South West Acute Hospital where an x-ray confirmed that his jaw was broken. The defendant was arrested on December 20th, and he made a no comment interview.
Defending barrister Ciaran Roddy told the court that this was a one punch incident and that there are plenty of examples of how a one punch attack had fatal consequences. He also said the defendant’s involvement was unnecessary, but the victim obtained serious injuries as a result but that he did not require surgery and that there was no premeditation in this incident.
Mr Roddy admitted that the defendant did not remember the entire event, and that it was an alcohol fuelled incident. He also added that Warrington was remorseful and he had limited his use of alcohol since the incident. Mr Roddy also presented the court with a number of character references from members of the community who described the incident as ‘out of character.’
Mr Warrington is currently unemployed but the court heard that there was an offer of employment waiting for him in the new year – only depending on him on gaining his lorry driving licence – which he has achieved.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan told the court that this was a serious and unprovoked assault, which resulted in serious injury, but that it was not premeditated and the defendant had shown remorse. He also added that the custody threshold had been passed but he was not going to sentence the defendant to custody.
He sentenced Warrington to a 12 months Probation Order, and ordered him to pay £250 in compensation to the victim.
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