Personal trainer given community service for assault at city eatery

A PERSONAL trainer who became unruly in a Belfast city centre restaurant after his partner was verbally abused has been given 50 hours of community service.

Brian Quinn launched an assault and allegedly tried to damage a window at Mikey’s Deli on Bridge Street, the court heard.

Prosecutors said the 39-year-old, of Holmdene Gardens in the city, also shouted profanities and pushed a police officer who was called to the scene in the early hours of February 10.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard the disturbance was linked to an altercation with another patron. At one stage a plastic chair was thrown and a smoke alarm damaged.

Quinn was sentenced for disorderly behaviour, common assault, criminal damage, attempted criminal damage and assault on police.

Defence solicitor Matt Higgins stressed his client’s clear record, describing him as being “absolutely mortified” at being in court.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall was told Quinn lost control when others directed extremely abusive comments at his partner.

“He (wrongly) thought the manager was part of that group,” Mr Higgins said. “His reaction was totally unforgivable, he accepts that. But there was extreme provocation — not by the injured party, who was completely blameless.”

It was revealed that Quinn has just started a new job as a personal trainer at “one of Belfast’s best hotels”.

His lawyer added: “If he could turn back time he would.”

Despite giving credit for the guilty pleas, Judge Bagnall insisted: “It was a fairly prolonged incident covering a range of offences.”

Imposing 50 hours of community service, she also ordered Quinn to pay £50 in compensation.