A man who slapped a woman on the bottom didn’t realise he had committed a crime, a court has been told.
Phelim Rocks (50), of Mullan Road, Coagh in Tyrone, was convicted of two sexual assaults on the woman on July 7 2024, as well as a charge of disorderly behaviour on the same date.
Derry Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday that the woman reported that Rocks had slapped her on the bottom on two occasions at Queen Street, Magherafelt, and this was captured on CCTV.
The disorderly behaviour occurred when police arrived.
A defence barrister told the court that his client had initially not appreciated that what he did was “a crime and a serious crime”.
He said that this had now charged and his client wished to apologise to the injured party
The barrister said that drink was a factor in the offending and the whole incident had been “a salutory lesson” for Rocks.
Rocks was given a 10-month probation order and fined £150. He was ordered to pay his victim £250 in compensation.