Fine for man after 13-year-old headbutted in face

Lee Michael Shiels, 21, of Glenabbey Drive admitted to one charge of assault at Londonderry Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

A man has been fined after headbutting a 13-year-old boy in the face in Londonderry.

Lee Michael Shiels, 21, of Glenabbey Drive in Derry appeared at Londonderry Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and admitted to one charge of assault on 23 September 2023.

The court heard that the boy suffered a mild concussion and an injury to his left eye following the incident outside a property in the Glenabbey area.

At interview, Shiels admitted that there was an interaction with the boy, but denied causing him any injury.

A defence solicitor told the court that he was in no way blaming the victim in this case, but explained that the incident involving his client stemmed from what was understood to be anti-social activity going on in the area at the time.

'Reacted badly'

The solicitor said that the defendant had "become enraged" following an incident involving eggs being thrown and then approached the nearest group of people.

He suggested that the victim "was probably in the wrong place at the wrong time".

Deputy district judge Liam McStay said there was no record of violence in the defendant's past and that he had "reacted badly" in this instance.

Shiels was fined £200 by the judge and also ordered to pay a further £100 in compensation to the victim.