Man jailed after argument over wearing masks

A man has been jailed for assaulting two people with a metal bar after an argument over mask wearing broke out at the McDonalds at Peterborough Services in Haddon.

Theargumentrelatedtothe wearing of masks, which were mandatory when indoors – unless exempt – when the incident took place on June 29, 2021.

ConorMurphy(28)ofStamford Lane, Warmington, confronted a group of four, which included a 15-year-old boy – who were traveling back from watchingEnglandbeatGermanyduringEuro2020,takingissue with the fact that none of them were wearing masks.

CCTV footage played in court showed Murphy clearly pointing to his mask before an altercation,involvingpushing, broke out between Murphy and the male victim.

Murphy, who before the incident was a youth coach at Norwich City FC, then returnedtohiscarandsatinitfor three minutes before returning to the seating area and hittingthevictimontherightside of his head from behind with what was described as the leg of a tripod that Murphy had in his car.

The victim was seen in the footage falling to the floor after sustaining a large cut that required gluing.

Two females intervened and it was at this point that Murphy hit a female victim twice with the pole, causing bruises to her arm and wrist.

Through her victim impact statement, the woman said: “The incident would stay with her for the rest of my life and I am upset that my 15-year-old sonhadtowitnessit.Itwillstay withhimfortherestofhislife."

The male victim said: “The upheaval caused by this incident will never go away. I have frequentnightmaresthatcome intheformofflashbackswhen Ifeeltheblowandseetheblood pouring into my hands.”

Since the incident, he has sufferedwithmigraines,headaches and ringing in his ears.

Murphy had previously pleadedguiltytocausinggrievousbodilyharm(GBH)withintent,assaultoccasioningactual bodilyharm(ABH)andpossession of an offensive weapon.

Insummingupwhatshedescribed as a “tragic case” due to Murphy’s previous positive good character, Recorder Arshad jailed Murphy for 34 months for GBH and 20 weeks fortheABH,withthesentences to run consecutively.

She ordered Murphy to pay compensation of £2,000 and £1,000 to the female and male victimsrespectivelyaswellasa victim surcharge of £156.

Conor Murphy.