Northern Ireland

Belfast man assaulted brother in 'massive drinking binge', court hears

James McLaverty (44), of Oisin House in Victoria Parade, pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully and maliciously wounding
James McLaverty (44), of Oisin House in Victoria Parade, pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully and maliciously wounding James McLaverty (44), of Oisin House in Victoria Parade, pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully and maliciously wounding

A NORTH Belfast man who assaulted his brother during a "massive drinking binge'' was handed a suspended sentence yesterday.

James McLaverty (44), of Oisin House in Victoria Parade, pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully and maliciously wounding his brother Patrick McLaverty last year.

A prosecution lawyer told the court that Patrick was at home in his flat at Hill Street in north Belfast in August 2017 with James.

The brothers had been consuming alcohol over a two to three-day period when a "drunken argument'' broke out between them and punches were thrown, the court heard.

Belfast Recorder Judge David McFarland was told that at one point, their mother stepped in and "separated them'' during the altercation.

The row spilled into a communal area at the flat complex, where Patrick was punched by this brother to the right side of his head.

The court also heard the victim's mother came out and applied a towel to his bleeding head wound until an ambulance arrived.

Patrick was taken to hospital where he received 10 staples to a 10cm (four inch) "bow-shaped'' laceration to his scalp.

Neither brother could remember what sparked the argument or how exactly Patrick sustained the head wound.

It was suggested to Judge McFarland that Patrick may have fallen after being punched and struck his head on a hard surface, possibly a radiator.

A defence barrister said James had a history of alcohol abuse and his first criminal conviction was aged 11.

He said the father-of-one was remorseful and regretted the attack and accepted full responsibility.

Judge McFarland said the assault happened while the brothers were on a "massive drinking binge".

He said an aggravating feature was the defendant's 63 previous convictions including 18 assault offences.

Saying the custody threshold had been passed, Judge McFarland imposed an 18-month sentence suspended for two years.