Man lost teeth in one punch blow in Magherafelt carry out

Thirty-four-year-old Martin Nichol from Bann Crescent in Toome was given a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, for assaulting the man, causing him actual bodily harm.

Judge Oonagh Mullan told Nichol at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday that the victim had sustained extensive injuries which will have long term consequences for him.

Ms Mullan said the defendant has 53 previous convictions, some for acts of violence, and she was concerned the next time someone could be killed.

A prosecuting lawyer told the court the injured party was in a Magherafelt carry out on December 23, 2018, when Nichol punched him in the face.

A defence lawyer said Nichol now had a deeper understanding of the injuries sustained by the injured party.

He said the incident was something Nichol regrets and as a gesture had brought along £500 in cash for the victim.

The lawyer said the defendant is a father of four children and a partner who relied on him.

He said while he appreciated all options are open to the court, he would ask the court to take a view of the case given the date.

Judge Mullan said she had a good recollection of the case and stuck out in her mind because of the injuries sustained were extensive.

She said the defendant was given a suspended sentence in 2017 and within a very short time this incident happened in December 2018.

Ms Mullan said the defendant was in breach of a suspended sentence and her difficulty was whether or not to impose an immediate custodial sentence.

She told him that he needed to get control of his life and refrain from drinking too much when he was out.

The judge said he needed to think of his family and remarked that his behaviour “was not setting a good stall for his children”.

She added that he would need to seek out organisations which could help him with anger management and controlling his alcohol intake.

The judge ordered Nichol to pay £500 compensation to the injured party.

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