A Craigavon man who “repeatedly punched” a teacher from behind in a “nasty” and stole his cigarettes has been given five months’ imprisonment.
Kevin Aaron Campbell – with an address in Pinebank – pleaded guilty to assault and theft before Craigavon Magistrates Court.
The 31-year-old had initially appeared to contest a charge of causing actual bodily harm, however, this had been withdrawn and reduced to common assault which he then pleaded guilty to.
In regards to the count of theft, District Judge Michael Ranaghan remarked that it was a “good thing” to have had the pleas, as “had this been dragged out, say in the old fashioned way, this would have been a robbery count and would have been dealt with in the Crown Court.
Outlining the facts, the prosecution said that on January 25, 2025 at around 10.30pm police received a report of assault in Lurgan.
Police spoke with the injured party who was visibly shaken and disorientated. He told police he was walking on the Old Portadown Road in the direction away from Stables Bar towards his home address.
He told police he saw two males walking in the opposite direction. He knew one as the defendant as he had been a patron of an off licence where he used to work.
The injured party was speaking with the defendant “having a bit of banter” but continued to walk away when he was attacked from behind by being punched repeatedly to left side of head.
The attack resulted in him sustaining a cut to the head and pain with subsequent nausea.
The prosecution said what precipitated the assault was that Campbell had told the injured party to empty his pockets and give him what he had. Campbell then put his hands into his pockets and a packet of cigarettes was stolen.
The injured party attended A&E for treatment but was unable to wait and later attended with his GP.
He said he had swelling to his right jaw, swelling to the left side of his head, bruising to his left eye and difficulty eating.
The injured party said he lived in the area his whole life but was ordinarily a teacher in England but visits home regularly.
The attack resulted in him no longer feeling comfortable walking around in his home area and has left him not wanting to leave his house.
An application was made to the court for a restraining order.
Defence counsel, Mr McCann said in regards to Campbell’s record: “The record is bizarre somewhat in that it is limited in this type of offence.”
He noted there was an entry for theft in 2024 for which his client had received a suspended sentence. However, this was not live at time of the incident.
He also informed the court that Campbell is currently in custody in relation to a number of other matters but that he “deeply regrets his actions”.
Speaking to Campbell, Judge Ranaghan said: “Had this have been prosecuted at its height you would have been in the Crown Court and you would have faced a count of robbery because the facts are fully in the face of that.
“It’s particularly nasty Mr Campbell but I have to apply some credit for the late plea.”
On each count, Judge Ranaghan imposed five months custodial sentence to run concurrent to one another.
Campbell was also instructed to pay compensation to the injured party for the stolen cigarettes at a value of £10.
A restraining order was granted for 12 months and an offenders levy applied at £25.
