A MAN who knocked his victim out in a one-punch attack in Belfast city centre has been jailed for five months.
Andrew Elliott (21) targeted the other man outside a fast-food restaurant on November 8 last year.
The 21-year-old, of University Street in the city, pleaded guilty to what his lawyer described as a random assault.
Belfast Magistrates' Court heard the victim was challenged as he tried to walk past a branch of McDonald's.
Elliott stopped him, said something and pushed him towards the front of the restaurant.
"The defendant then struck the injured party, who walked away holding his head and later slumped to the ground outside McDonald's," a prosecutor said.
"He seems to have blocked his way and then punched him to the face, rendering the victim unconscious."
Defence counsel Richard McConkey stressed that Elliott made admissions and apologised.
"It was a one-strike, and obvious remorse," the barrister said.
Mr McConkey also told the court his client has had a difficult upbringing.
"His mental health has suffered quite badly during the period of lockdown because he had been somewhat isolated," he added.
Imposing a five-month sentence for the assault, District Judge Amanda Henderson said: "It clearly crosses the custody threshold."
