Baton attack followed 16 pints

A west Belfast man has been found guilty of an assault using a metal baton, which he carried out after drinking up to 16 pints of beer.

Adrian Rooney, 28, was given 12 months probation and community service for hitting another man over the head.

Rooney, of Cupar Street, was arrested by police during disturbances near the Falls Road last December.

The judge said the only thing stopping Rooney going to prison was the fact he he had no record of assaulting people.

Prosecutors said Rooney had been seen lashing out with the baton amid early morning trouble. The court was told the victim sustained a gash to his forehead.

However, defence lawyer Sean O'Hare said his client only arrived at the scene after getting a call for help from a girlfriend caught up in rioting.

Mr O'Hare claimed Rooney got out of a car and was hit first by the weapon which then fell at his feet.

The barrister also revealed that the defendant had earlier drank 15 to 16 pints of beer, adding that he was not in the area when disorder first broke out.

Deputy District Judge Neil Raffery declared: "I'm concerned about a man being hit on the head with an extendable baton.

"He (Rooney) was drunk and there was trouble going on and he wanted a piece of it."

Passing sentence, the judge told him: "The reality is what is keeping you out of prison is you don't have a record for assaulting people. You are very close to going to prison today."