AN argument over Brexit escalated and resulted in a man being subjected to a "serious assault", a court has heard.

Steven Carter (35) of Dervock Street in Derry was found guilty after contesting a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man on July 30 2019.

The city's magistrates court heard that police were called to a report of a fight.

Officers spoke to the injured party who said following an argument about Brexit he had been assaulted by Carter.

He said he had been punched in the face and then had fallen to the ground where the defendant continued to punch his face.

The incident occurred after the defendant and injured party and his brother had been drinking together.

After being arrested the defendant said he had struck out because he was afraid the injured party was "violent" and he believed he was going to be assaulted.

He told police as a result of a brain injury he would have been reluctant to start a fight due to his fear one punch could kill him.

Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said this was "a very serious offence".

He said that there had been some injury to Carter which gave some credence to his account.

He told the court that Carter had previously suffered an injury that had, in effect, ruined his life.

Carter was sentenced to nine months in prison suspended for three years and ordered to pay £2,500 in compensation.