A 29-year-old driver who attacked a man who went to complain about him blowing his horn has been sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years.

Paul Edward Duffy, of Knockmore Park, Derrygonnelly, denied having an offensive weapon, namely a bottle, when he struck Stephen Jones in the face. He claimed it was a ring he was wearing that caused the damage, leaving the injured party with three lacerations to his face requiring 11 stitches.

A prosecutor withdrew the charge in relation to possession of an offensive weapon and Duffy then pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr. Jones, occasioning him actual bodily harm.

The prosecutor told Fermanagh Court that on October 9, 2011, police received a report from the injured party that he had been assaulted in the early hours of the morning. He said that at approximately 5.30am he was at home with his girlfriend when he heard a horn tooting outside. He looked out and saw a white van driven by Duffy. He went out to request Duffy to leave. As he did so he was struck in the face three or four times. There was then a scuffle and he returned to the house.

The prosecutor said police later interviewed Duffy and he denied the incident had occurred as alleged. He said it had happened at his home and not the injured party’s home. He denied any object was used to assault Mr. Jones but admitted wearing a ring that may have caused the injuries.

Mr. Jones was taken the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen with a number of lacerations to his face. He received 11 stitches to three wounds.

Defence barrister Heather Phillips said that while Duffy has a criminal record he has no relevant convictions and no history of violence and nothing since this incident in 2011.

District Judge Liam McNally asked what caused the three-year delay in bringing the case to court.

The prosecutor explained that there had been potential forensic evidence on the van and the police then had difficulty contacting Duffy. Miss Phillips said Duffy provided police with a very comprehensive account as to what happened and the circumstances. There was an altercation between the two men but Duffy claimed it happened at his house rather than the injured party’s house. However, he accepted he struck Mr. Jones and there were injuries as a result.

“There was something of a toing and froing between these parties,” she said. “He himself sustained a number of injuries to his face and body.

“One thing he was adamant about was that no instrument was used and any injuries were caused by the ring he was wearing,” added Miss Phillips.

She said a doctor had said the injuries sustained by Mr. Jones could have been caused by a ring.

“Alcohol had been taken by all parties but thankfully there has been no repeat,” she added.

Miss Phillips said Duffy has started his own transport business and is very confident he will not be back before the court.

The District Judge told Duffy: “This was a serious assault and I have read the medical report in respect of the injuries which you inflicted on Mr. Jones.” He said normally there would be a six-month jail sentence for someone contesting the case so Duffy was fortunate to have admitted the offence. Most importantly it has been three years since the incident and there has been no further difficulty between Duffy and Mr. Jones.

He said he would therefore suspend the six-month prison sentence for two years and order Duffy to pay Mr. Jones £500 compensation.