Northern Ireland

Owner of Thompsons nightclub in Belfast denies assault charges

Thompsons nightclub in Belfast city centre. Picture by Matt Bohill
Thompsons nightclub in Belfast city centre. Picture by Matt Bohill Thompsons nightclub in Belfast city centre. Picture by Matt Bohill

A NIGHTCLUB owner accused of assaulting two customers had been grabbed by the throat and punched in the face, a court has heard.

A defence lawyer for Mark McCourt insisted on Wednesday he was subjected to aggression before any attempt to push away one of the men outside Thompsons Garage in Belfast city centre.

Mr McCourt, with an address at Pattersons Place in the city, denies two charges of common assault and one of assault occasioning actual bodily harm early on March 12 2015.

The 35-year-old, who co-owns the high-profile venue, was among three men due to go on trial at Belfast Magistrates Court.

Co-accused Joseph Doyle (28), of Cliftonville Road in Belfast, entered a guilty plea to a single charge of common assault before the hearing began.

A third defendant, Seamus Deeds (50) of Horn Drive in the city, is contesting one common assault charge.

The court heard that alleged victims Aaron Quinn and Jonathan Russell had been drinking in the Harp Bar before arriving at the club.

They were said to have met with Mr McCourt following a complaint about not getting served.

Mr Quinn claimed he became involved in a "bit of a scuffle" with the owner, but described it as "friendly banter".

The alleged assaults took place in an outside alleyway when they left the premises.

With CCTV and body-camera footage shown during the hearing, the pair claimed door staff forced them to the ground and either punched or kicked them.

Martin Morgan, representing Mr McCourt, put it to Mr Quinn that he had grabbed his client by the throat and slapped him on the head inside the club.

He argued that the complainant then lunged at him again outside the venue.

"Your response to him pushing you, and that is the common assault allegation, is to grab him and punch him in the face," Mr Morgan said.

After viewing the CCTV footage, Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes said: "It is absolutely clear in that video that Mr McCourt's push was clearly defensive."

Mr Russell told the court he was kicked and punched about the face and body, and described being put in a head lock and struggling to breathe.

He claimed up to 10 men were involved.

"I remember getting rugby tackled by the legs and trying to get up a few times," he said.

Under cross-examination, he was unable to remember some of his movements as shown in the CCTV recordings.

Mr Morgan described his lack of recall as "frightening", adding: "The reason you can't remember is you were just absolutely plastered."

Counsel for Mr Deeds put it to Mr Russell that the CCTV showed him punching one of the doormen multiple times.

Mr Russell again confirmed he could not recall the alleged actions.

With evidence still to come from a third alleged victim, Judge Holmes adjourned the contest to a later stage – but warned that it could be months before another suitable date is available.