A Lurgan man who smashed a window and bit his cousin’s thumb during a family dispute has been handed a six month prison sentence.
Lee Knox (26), of Manor Drive, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court, via videolink from Maghaberry prison, charged with two counts of criminal damage and one count of common assault.
Defence Counsel indicated that pleas of guilty could be entered. One further charge of criminal damage was withdrawn.
The prosecution outlined that on July 29, police received a report from a person stating that their nephew had smashed their living room window.
Police attended the scene, where the reporting person said that Knox had threw a flower pot through the window. They further stated that Knox had damaged a TV.
A man also stated this his cousin, Lee Knox, was at the house and had became agitated. He had heard smashing and banging coming from a bedroom and entered to find the TV broken.
He further alleged that a short time later, Knox was heard banging the door and was then told to leave. He alleged that Knox was shouting in his face and coming towards him with closed fist.
He also claimed that Knox had bitten him on the thumb.
Police located the defendant and he was conveyed to hospital and later arrested. Whilst in custody, he made a counter allegation against his cousin.
Aaron Thompson BL, speaking in defence of Knox, explained that his client had been in custody on these matters since July 30, equating to effectively a six month sentence.
He continued: “I’ve represented Mr Knox since, probably, his teenage years and he has struggled majorly with alcohol and substances over a period of time.”
He also added that both parties in the fracas have been prosecuted.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan noted that the incident was a family dispute, but conceded that there were no “domestic aggravators” in the case.
Speaking to Knox, he said: “Were there not early pleas at the earliest opportunities in this case, your sentence would have been extended by some considerable distance.”
Judge Ranaghan imposed a sentence of 4 months on the common assault charge, and six months on the criminal damage charges, with these sentences to run concurrently.
Knox was also ordered to pay a £25 offenders’ levy.
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