County Derry man given suspended sentence for two counts of assault

A man has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrate's Court for two counts of assault.

Dylan Carton (23) of Neptune Crescent, in Ballykelly, Limavady, was charged with assaulting two men outside the Metro Bar in Derry on February 6 this year. 

The court heard how the victim was helping his friend, who was drunk, when Carton kicked him in the head. 

Carton followed this up by kicking the other victim in the stomach. 

Footage was recorded by CCTV and on a phone and Carton was arrested on Shipquay Street.

The victim told police hevbelieved that the assault took place because of his black skin, but District Judge Barney McElhom said that he did not believe this case had been made out. 

Carton claimed that he acted in self defence and that he felt threatened by the victims. He later admitted that he felt this way because he had been drinking.

Defence barrister Grainne McAnaney said that Carton now accepts that alcohol does not improve his decision making and that he has now sought help for his issues and was engaging with support. 

She added that Carton had shown clear remorse for his actions.

He was sentenced to four months, suspended for two years and was ordered to pay each victim £250 in compensation.