Man jailed for attack at Lagan Towpath

A MAN convicted of randomly attacking a woman at a riverside walk in Belfast has been jailed for eight months.

Stephen Manning (20) kicked and punched the victim to the ground during a violent outburst on the Lagan Towpath in June last year, the city’s Magistrates Court heard.

She sustained injuries to her hand, along with cuts to her face and body.

Manning, of Orchard Mews in Belfast, was charged with common assault based on identification evidence and a name supplied to the victim.

He was found guilty at contest despite continuing to claim he wasn’t at the scene.

He was also convicted of threats to damage property after being asked to leave a party in south Belfast later that month.

Prosecutors said that as police were removing people from the house at St John’s Close he shouted: “I’m going to burn the place down.”

Defence solicitor Michael Brentnall said his client still denies involvement, and added that a co-accused has pleaded guilty.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall insisted, however, that Manning had been convicted of the assault.

“It’s a random attack on an unknown female, as far as he’s concerned,” she said.

Imposing a five-month prison sentence, the judge added on a further three months from a previously suspended sentence.

Manning was released on bail pending an appeal against conviction for the assault.