Northern Ireland

Former Antrim hurler Liam Watson denies charge of using hurley as offensive weapon

Liam Watson appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court yesterday. Picture by Mark Jamieson
Liam Watson appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court yesterday. Picture by Mark Jamieson Liam Watson appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court yesterday. Picture by Mark Jamieson

A former Antrim hurling star has been accused of using a hurley as an offensive weapon with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.

Liam Watson (35), of Scally Park, Loughgiel, appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court yesterday where it was heard that not guilty pleas have been entered to the four charges he faces.

The former county hurler, who also won the All-Ireland club title with Loughgiel, now plays in England with the John Mitchel's club in the Birmingham area and has appeared for Warwickshire at county level.

As well as the offensive weapon charge, Watson is accused of common assault and two counts of criminal damage.

The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 7 2016.

He is accused of assaulting a man and causing criminal damage to a bedroom window pane and a summer seat belonging to a woman.

Watson's father Patrick (57), from a different address at Scally Park, is also charged in relation to the alleged incident.

He denies assault occasioning actual bodily harm on a man and possession of an offensive weapon, a hurley, with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.

Both men sat side by side at court in Coleraine yesterday.

As the charges were put to Patrick Watson he replied "not guilty".

The court heard that not guilty pleas were previously entered, in August, on behalf of Liam Watson.

The cases have now been fixed for a contest which is scheduled to take place later this month.