DAMAGE to lodge a Lusty Beg
A VETERAN of the war in Kosovo who assaulted a woman after a night socialising at Lusty Beg Island, and damaged a room at the hotel, has been given a suspended sentence. David Ferguson-Taylor (36) from Comer Road in Dundonald, Belfast, appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to criminal damage and common assault.
Ferguson-Taylor had been staying in a chalet at the Fermanagh resort on February 20th with his partner and another couple. The defendant, who had been drinking, feel asleep and his partner
woke him with a slap. The court heard Ferguson-Taylor woke in a rage, and went into the bathroom of the chalet and was kicking and punching the walls. The woman from the other couple went into the bathroom to stop him and he pushed her, causing her to fall back.
The next morning the defendant had no recollection of what he’d done, but when he was told he repaid a total of £485 to Lusty Beg, to pay for damage caused to the room, and to cover the cost of the room being closed overnight for repairs. He also paid for gift vouchers for residents he’d disturbed.
District Judge Sean O’Hare said paying the money was to Ferguson-Taylor’s credit, and added he appeared to be a man who ‘could not hold his drink’. Defence barrister Stefan Rafferty said the defendant suffered from mental health issues, and had spent some time in a psychiatric unit the previous month. Mr Rafferty said Ferguson-Taylor was a war veteran and had suffered since he
was discharged from the army in 2004. He said the defendant had “suffered enormously” from “significant mental health issues” over what he’d seen and what he’d had to do while on duty in Kosovo.
The barrister added Ferguson-Taylor, who he said was very regretful, should not have been drinking on the night in question as he was taking medication. Judge O’Hare said that the defendant had chosen to drink into the small hours of the morning and “no one forced him too. Other people had to suffer due to the way he chose to conduct himself,” he said, adding alcohol was not a solution to problems.
Judge O’Hare sentenced Ferguson-Taylor to four months in prison, suspendedfor 12 months. He also orderedhim to pay £200 compensation