A Bessbrook man avoided jail after assaulting a driver and passenger for refusing him a ride in Newry.
The event happened last July. Police got a call about trouble near College Square East. People were holding Ward when officers arrived.
The victim said he was in his BMW. Ward asked for a lift. He got angry when they refused, hitting the driver in the head and body. The passenger helped and got hit too. No one was hurt.
A video showed Ward throw a vodka bottle. It hit a Vauxhall Vivaro and damaged the windshield badly. The judge noted Ward’s past, including a suspended sentence and a weapon charge.
Ward’s lawyer said his marriage troubles improved, and he hadn’t caused trouble for seven months. Since July, the victims weren’t upset. Police also haven’t had issues with him.
His mother said he changed recently and only came to court because of his progress. The judge called it a serious attack, saying Ward attacked people out of nowhere. She gave him a suspended jail sentence.
Ward got five months suspended for two years on each charge. He must pay £300 to the assault victim and £350 for the van damage.