Derry man who headbutted 13-year-old boy fined £300
Lee Michael Shiels (21) of Glenabbey Drive in Derry admitted one charge of assault that occurred on September 23
A man who headbutted a 13-year-old boy has been fined at Derry Magistrate's Court today.
Lee Michael Shiels (21) of Glenabbey Drive in Derry admitted one charge of assault that occurred on September 23.
The court heard that around 7pm on that date there was an incident outside a property in the Glenabbey area.
Shiels approached a 13-year-old boy and headbutted him causing an injury to his left eye.
The boy also suffered a mild concussion.
At interview the defendant admitted there was an interaction with the boy but denied causing any injury.
Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that he was in no way blaming the victim in this case.
He said that there was some sort of anti-social activity going on in the area at the time and eggs had been thrown.
The solicitor said that the defendant had 'become enraged' and approached the nearest group of people.
He suggested that the victim 'was probably in the wrong place at the wrong time.'
Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said that by his guilty plea the defendant had saved the young people having to appear in court.
He said there was no record of violence in the defendant's past and that he had' reacted badly '.
The judge said that he was not treating Shiels as' a hard bitten violent offender' and fined him £200 and ordered him to pay the victim £100 in compensation.