A court has heard that a 21 year-old man assaulted an employee of a mobile phone store after he was told that he wasn’t entitled to a new phone.
Sean McGroogan of Creagh Road, Castledawson appeared before Magherafelt Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with common assault.
The court heard that on August 5 last year, police received a report of an assault on an employee of a mobile phone shop in Magherafelt.
The victim told police that the defendant had entered the store and approached him for help. A debate then ensued between the two men after the defendant was told that he wasn’t entitled to a new phone.
McGroogan left the store but returned a few moments later and grabbed the employee by his shirt collar and started shaking him. The defendant then pulled his fist back but the injured party managed to break away, the court heard.
The defendant was arrested and made no comment throughout the interview but he did allude to his presence at the store. He was also shown CCTV footage of the incident but declined to comment.
No injuries were sustained to the victim during the assault, the court heard.
Defence barrister, Michael Forde told the court that the incident arose out of frustration.
Mr Forde said: “He was frustrated when he entered the shop. He shouldn’t have dealt with his anger in this way and he accepts that. Thankfully no injuries were caused.
“The defendant has reduced his alcohol intake. He has a record, which is limited but there is a serious entry going back to 2013 which he received a suspended sentence for,” said Mr Forde.
Speaking to the defendant, District Judge Alan White said: “I can understand how frustrating modern technology can be at times but that is no excuse to assault someone. This man was only doing his job, he didn’t deserve to be assaulted.”
Judge White placed McGroogan on probation for nine months and ordered him to pay £75 in compensation to the injured party.
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