Jail for two thugs who battered victim repeatedly with a brick

TWO Co Antrim men who beat another man with a brick following a car chase were jailed yesterday for the “unprovoked” attack.

Sending Kenneth Graffin and Samuel David McMaw to prison, Judge Patricia Smyth said it was “a matter of pure good fortune” that their victim did not sustain more serious injuries in the September 2016 incident.

Handing both men a two-year sentence, which the judge said would be divided between 12 months in prison followed by 12 on licence, the pair were each issued with a restraining order to stay away from the injured party.

Graffin (34), from Oakwood Road in Carrickfergus, and father-of-two McMaw (29), from Starbog Road in Larne, both ad-

Graffin and McMaw (right) were sent to prison for vicious assault

mitted attacking the other man, occasioning him actual bodily harm. Father-of-five Graffin pleaded guilty to an additional offence of dangerous driving.

Belfast Crown Court heard the violent incident on the evening of September 6, 2016 occurred at a time when there was “ill feeling”

between all those involved. At around 10.20pm on the date in question, the injured party was in Joymount, Carrickfergus, with two friends when he saw a man he knew, who acknowledged him. This same man then drove past the three friends and was verbally abusive.

As the injured party made his way along the Larne Road, he noticed a black Vauxhall being driven along Victoria Road.

Graffin was behind the wheel while McMaw was one of two male passengers. Graffin parked the vehicle, but then drove at speed towards the injured party.

The victim got on his mountain bike and began cycling towards the police station, while his friends fled.

When the injured party got off the bike, he was knocked off his feet by the car driven by Graffin.

At this point he was able to get to his feet and jump over a fence but was caught by McMaw.

While a man not before the court began assaulting the injured party, Graffin suggested using a brick, and their victim was struck repeatedly with it.

McMaw then took the man’s keys before leaving, and when the injured man’s two friends returned to the scene an ambulance was called.

The court heard that while the man’s injuries were not serious, he was left with significant discomfort from bruising and abrasions to various parts of his body.

After their arrests, the pair initially denied the charges, but later admitted them.

During sentencing Judge Smyth told the pair: “You attacked this man without any provocation whatsoever, and the fact a brick was used is an aggravating factor.

“It is a matter of pure good fortune that the injured party did not sustain worse injuries.

“This was a deliberate targeting of the victim, and you showed indifference to the likelihood of serious injury.

“This was a sustained and deliberate attack.”