‘Bad aim’ saves man from bottle injury

Darren Patrick Gallagher, Parkmore, Craigavon, admitted unlawful assault on June 7 last year.

The court heard the injured party was in Sainsbury’s in Rushmere when he was approached by the defendant about a neighbour dispute.

Gallagher threw a bottle of juice at the injured party but missed.

He was cautioned and told police: “I know I did wrong, I’m sorry.” He admitted he intended to hit the injured party.

The case had been adjourned so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

Mr Brendan Hagan said that the background to the matter was that the relationship between the complainant’s family and that of the defendant and his mother had fractured.

He explained that the mother had made complaints to the police about the behaviour of the complainant and his unacceptable conduct.

Mr Hagan said that by chance Gallagher met the injured party and out of frustration threw the bottle of juice he had been drinking in the direction of the complainant.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said it was an impetuous and unjustified assault and community service would be appropriate. He told Gallagher no one had suffered but it was ‘just your bad aim’.