An Irvinestown man who threw a vodka bottle at a woman as she walked across the street has been handed a suspended prison sentence at Fermanagh Magistrates Court.
Thirty-five year old Kevin Patrick Martin Francis Rogers from Sallyswood in the town pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully assaulting Bridie McKervey in the town on 12th May this year.
The court heard that on the day in question, about 11.20am, the injured party was coming out of the Necarne Arms in the town when she spotted the defendant outside the premises. The defendant appeared to be drunk and was holding a litre bottle of Smirnoff.
The injured party told the defendant he shouldn't be drinking at that time of the morning. The defendant told the injured party he would throw the bottle at her. At this she became afraid and apprehensive and crossed the road. As she walked away, she heard a bottle breaking behind her.
She told her boss and, after viewing CCTV footage, the Court heard, she saw the defendant throw the bottle in her direction as she crossed the road.
When interviewed about the incident, the defendant said he was drunk and didn't remember where he was. He did admit he was liable to be violent when he was drunk and, therefore, he might have done this.
Defending, Tommy Owens told the Court his client had serious alcohol problems, that he went on binges and would be out of control while on these binges.
The court heard that since this incident the defendant had had serious medical problems and had undergone an operation. He had been advised by doctors that he should refrain from alcohol in the future.
Sentencing, Resident Magistrate John Meehan told the defendant that the only thing that could be said in his favour was that he had pleaded guilty.
Mr Meehan noted that in the past 15 years, 1994 was the only year the defendant didn't commit a criminal offence.
Sentencing the defendant to six weeks in prison, suspended for two years, Mr Meehan told him: "You already recognise that you can become violent when drunk. Do this again and you will go to prison."
