He made admissions and “expressed remorse,” claiming that he was under stress
Belfast International Airport(Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
A Co Fermanagh man who admitted assaulting a female member of airline staff after he missed his flight has been handed a £100 fine.
Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, heard how police were called to Belfast International Airport on 26 June last year after reports of the assault. A prosecuting lawyer told the court CCTV had captured the incident when 53-year-old Ian Taylor struck the leg of the female member of ground crew on the leg with his roller case.
She reported the assault had left a “red mark on her lower right leg” and outline how Taylor had “become irate” because he had missed his flight to Manchester.
Taylor, from Tattygare Heights in Lisbellaw, was located in the central search area and when questioned, he made admissions and “expressed remorse,” claiming that he was under stress. He later entered a guilty plea to a single charge of common assault and lodging a plea in mitigation, a defence solicitor said Taylor “fully accepts that his behaviour was not acceptable.”
The lawyer conceded that while the case crossed the custodial threshold, it could be met by “leaving something hanging over his head.”
District Judge Nigel Broderick said however, that Taylor was not fit for community service and probation saw no merit in a probation order.
Imposing the £100, in addition to a £200 compensation order, the judge told Taylor it was unacceptable to assault anyone “simply for doing their job.”
He warned the defendant that if he commits any further offending, “I can guarantee it won’t be a fine the next time.”
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