A 34-YEAR-OLD man has escaped jail after he admitted assaulting a neighbour whilst brandishing a knuckle duster.
Michael Bittles, a father-of-one from Milford Street, was handed a 12-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years, after he admitted punching his neighbour in the face.
Bittles accepted he had a knuckle duster during the attack on Cliftonpark Avenue in north Belfast on October 12 last year.
The injured party - who the court heard was a man with alcohol issues - was punched on the side of the face and sustained scratches and swelling.
During yesterday's sentencing at Belfast Crown Court, prosecuting barrister Gareth Purvis told Judge Patricia Smyth there had been issues between the two men since before the attack.
Defence barrister Barry Gibson said his client has since moved from the north to the west of the city and is a "more mature and reflective" man than he was last year.
Mr Gibson said the assault happened following a "build-up" between the neighbours.
He described the knuckle duster as a "relic of old Belfast" and said Mr Bittles "doesn't know where it came from but it has now been disposed of".
The barrister added: "This was a one-off situation which he now regrets".
Handing Brittles a suspended sentence, Judge Smyth said the single-blow incident was a "row between neighbours that ought never to have occurred".
Citing the offences as serious, the judge told Bittles that his plea to common assault and possession of an offensive weapon had spared the injured party the "ordeal of having to give evidence."
The judge warned Bittles he faced going to jail if he committed any further offences.
