A Lurgan father and son who assaulted a family member after a birthday gathering, leaving him with injuries which included a chipped tooth, have been handed suspended prison sentences.
Court heard the pair, who appeared in court with no record, used MMA style boxing gloves during the attack.
Stephen Wilson, 49, and Dean Wilson, 19, both of Carrickvale Avenue, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Craigavon Magistrates’ on Wednesday.
It was heard that on November 26, at 2.50am, police spoke to the injured party who was being treated by a paramedic on the Portadown Road, Lurgan.
He stated he had been assaulted by his cousin and uncle who had approached him wearing combat gloves.
They had punched him until he lost consciousness.
Police arrested the duo and a pair of MMA style boxing gloves were seized from their home.
Whilst in custody, pictures were taken of the defendants’ hands, which showed serious injury.
The injured party was left with swelling to the head, cuts to the head, a chipped tooth, along with bruising to his torso and back.
The father and son made counter-allegations against the injured party.
Court heard that Dean Wilson had no previous convictions with his father, Stephen Wilson, only having one entry on his record for excess speed.
Defence barrister Conor Lunny stated: “They are under no illusions as to the likely outcome of today but at least they did not make injured party give evidence.
“This started out with a family birthday party. Dean Wilson had drink taken and had a low-end scuffle before he went home.
“However, he went back, and there is still some dispute over how the injured party ended up being on the road but they accept their actions were bad as a whole, but at least the injuries could have been worse.
“Stephen Wilson had not even attended the party; he had not taken any alcohol, although that is not an excuse.”
Mr Lunny said: “The reports are very positive; they show remorse and regret but they are going to have to accept they are more prone to violence.
“The defendant and injured party have seen each other since the incident. He [injured party] said he did not wish to hold any grudges and hoped to end the matter.
“Both know the peril they are in, I concede that the custody threshold has been crossed given the injuries and aggravating factors.
“I ask that their lack of record, good work ethic and good future are taken into account.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly said: “This is a very serious offence aggravated by the following factors; Dean Wilson was so intent on arming himself, and with the able assistance of his sober father, driving to go out and find this man.
“He wished to mete out punishment. His father, instead of talking him out of it, went and helped him in this.”
She continued: “I am satisfied given his lack of record and the report that Stephen Wilson is unlikely to commit an offence of this nature again; I am not so convinced with Dean Wilson.
“He presented an entirely different version of events from his father; he claims they went out to get cigarettes. I tend to believe his father and feel Mr Dean Wilson was the main driver in this offence.”
Both men were handed four-month prison sentences with Stephen Wilson’s suspended for 12 months and Dean Wilson’ for two years.
