Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Disabled man beaten with own walking stick
Attacker admits ‘I am disgusting’
A MAN who battered a disabled pensioner with his walking stick branded himself “a disgusting human being”, a court has heard.
Mark Howie was appearing at Derry Crown Court yesterday.
The 43-year-old admitted a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Sydney Harold Olphert.
The attack took place in the victim’s flat in Sperrin Park, in the Waterside area of the city, between March 31 and April 3 of last year.
The court was told Mr Olphert, who was aged in his 60s, has since died but his death was not related to the injuries.
A barrister for the Public Prosecution Service said the accused, also from Sperring Park, had launched the assault during an argument, while drinking, about a mobile phone.
Mr Olphert was found by a friend the following day slumped on his living room sofa and covered in blood.
He had multiple fractures and a deep laceration beside his left eye. The police were called and told by Mr Olphert: “It was yer man upstairs.” He pointed towards Howie’s flat.
When officers arrested him they found clothes in his washing machine and the victim’s walking stick, both covered in his blood.
On his way to Strand Road station Howie told police: “Yer man came at me with a walking stick. He hit me across HISTORY buff Andy Robertshaw shows his deep understanding of life on the First World War front with this replica full-size trench.
The 61-year-old spent £8,000 creating the Somme-style visitor site on a farm near Canterbury, Kent.
And he said: “We’re going to launch a 48-hour trench experience, an introduction to life in a trench.” the head and on the arm. I then must have lost the head and beat the f*** out of him.”
Howie, who has 74 previous criminal convictions, added he was ashamed of his actions and wished Mr Olphert would survive.
He later told officers: “I think I am a disgusting human being for doing that, disgusting.”
Judge Philip Babington remanded Howie in continuing custody until sentencing on September 12.