A 35-YEAR-OLD man who admitted assaulting his flatmate during a dispute insisted he had been “provoked into violence” when he appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

Paul Moran, of Derrin Park, Enniskillen, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a window belonging to the Housing Executive on August 4, 2015.

He also pleaded guilty to unlawfully assaulting a man on March 13 and 14 this year, and possessing a Class C controlled drug, namely cannabis, on May 12 this year.

The court heard that, at 8.55am on August 4, 2015, police were informed by the injured party that his living room window had been smashed by the defendant, who had warned him: “Don’t ever call the police on me.”

It was estimated that a total of £68.40 damage was caused to the window, the court heard.

When the defendant was located at 9.40am, he had to be taken straight to hospital for treatment.

During a subsequent notebook interview, Moran made a full admission to the offence. He told officers that he had lost his temper as he believed the injured party had been making loud noises.

Meanwhile, at between 10pm and 11pm on March 13 this year, the defendant headbutted the injured party in the face as they both watched TV in the living room of their flat.

Then, at 1am the following morning, the injured party was lying in bed when he was kicked in the back by Moran.

There were no injuries sustained as a result of either assault, the court heard.

The defendant was later searched by police on May 12 and was found to be in possession of a quantity of herbal cannabis. He was questioned about the assaults the following day and admitted that it was “all a bit hazy” due to his drug use.

Defending solicitor, Niall Bogue, told the court that his client’s offending behaviour stemmed from a mental health condition and handed in various medical documents.

The solicitor said that the two incidents had resulted from a dispute with his victim, who was previously his flatmate.

In mitigation, Mr Bogue said that the defendant was now in his own accommodation and more settled.

He added that he was taking his medication and in a “better health condition” than previously.

After district judge Nigel Broderick asked why the defendant had not cooperated with the Probation Service in the preparation of a pre-sentence report, Mr Bogue replied that he had only recently moved and before that had lived a “chaotic lifestyle”.

As Mr Broderick began to pass sentence, Moran interrupted proceedings to insist he was not a violent person, rather he had been “provoked into violence”.

The judge replied: “Even if you were provoked, it was no excuse for what you did.”

Leaving something hanging over the defendant’s head, Mr Broderick imposed a five-month jail sentence, which he then suspended for two years.

The judge also ordered Moran to pay £68.40 compensation to the Housing Executive.