‘Cowardly bully’ assaulted woman

‘Cowardly bully’ assaulted woman

2 December 2015

A DOWNPATRICK man has been branded a “cowardly bully” after being convicted of assaulting a female neighbour.

Thirty seven year-old Marc Hugh McNabb was strongly criticised by District Judge Mark Hamill as his trial for assault at Downpatrick Court on Monday.

McNabb had denied assaulting the woman at his home at Vianstown Heights in the early hours of October 19 last year.

The court was told the victim had gone for a night out with McNabb’s partner and afterwards returned to the couple’s home at around 2am.

The woman said McNabb came into the kitchen, drank a bottle of vodka and punched her in the chest, knocking her to the ground. She claimed he was about to kick her in the head, but stopped when he saw his young daughter come into the room. 

The woman said McNabb ran out of the house and threw a brick at the windows of her caravan, which was parked outside her own house nearby. This caused at least £1,000 worth of damage, she said.

The woman said she ran outside and saw McNabb was going to throw a brick through her son’s bedroom window, so she yelled for him to stop. 

He then ran back toward her, the court was told, and punched her on the side of the head, causing her to fall to the ground and black out momentarily. 

In his evidence McNabb claimed the woman refused to leave the home he shared with his partner at the time and he grabbed her shoulder to try to get her to leave. He also alleged she scratched and punched him in the face. 

As he tried to run outside, he said he slipped and fell down and went on to claim the woman came over and started kicking him in the face until his daughter came in. He said that he did break her caravan windows, but that he did not punch her in the head.

District Judge Mr Mark Hamill described McNabb as “a cowardly bully.” 

He also said the woman showed courage in coming to court to give evidence in this case. 

He ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the Probation Service before sentencing takes place in January.

McNabb remains out on bail. His barrister said his client is unemployed and is now staying away from drugs and alcohol.