Judge hits out at drunken '˜blight'

Drunken behaviour which led to an assault was '˜intolerable in Banbridge and a blight on the town', the local magistrates court heard last Thursday.
The justice systemThe justice system
The justice system

Reece Stevenson (20), Orangefield Drive, Armagh, was fined £200 and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy for disorderly behaviour on April 10 this year.

He was also bound over in the sum of £200 for keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years.

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The court heard police were patrolling in the Church Square area of Banbridge at approximately 2am when they saw an altercation between two males.

One of them claimed that the defendant had assaulted him. Because of their level of intoxication statements could not be taken from them until later in the day.

A barrister representing the defendant said Stevenson had been out socialising and during the course of the evening his top had been pulled and ripped.

He added that his client then displayed his frustration in an inappropriate manner.

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The lawyer said Stevenson resided with his mother, who was is court, and was very supportive of her.

He explained that she held a family meeting and contact had been made with their GP to get him some help in dealing with his anger.

The barrister said this was a very foolish incident and what had started out as a good night had ended up like this.

District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, told Stevenson he had already been warned about his behaviour in the past but clearly had not been listening to what was being said to him.

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“This type of behaviour is intolerable in Banbridge and is a blight on the town,” he added.

And he warned Stevenson that if he was back in court again for this sort of behaviour his mother would be going to visit him in Maghaberry.