Changed his plea to guilty

Stefan Scappaticci, Millar Park, Lawrencetown, had originally pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on a man and disorderly behaviour in Church Square, Banbridge, on July 23 this year.

But the contested hearing did not go ahead last week after Scappaticci pleaded guilty.

His solicitor said he was a sentenced prisoner with a release date of January 13.

District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, said the defendant had a significant record and adjourned the case until January 7 so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.