19/04/2007
Man escapes jail after DUP MP assault
A man found guilty of assaulting a DUP politician has avoided going to jail after a four-month prison sentence was suspended for two years.
East Antrim politician Sammy Wilson was pushed up against a car after he left a Chinese restaurant in the Botanic area in 2004.
Seamus O’Kane, 30, formerly of Cromwell Road, lost his appeal today in Belfast Recorder’s Court.
Judge Denise Kennedy described the assault as “unprovoked and vicious”. However, she said she was suspending the sentence because his behaviour may have been due to mental health problems.
She also said she wanted him to continue to work with a probation officer.
O’Kane was sentenced last July, after a magistrate was told he accused Mr Wilson of kicking his dog.
He then pushed him against a car before coming at him with a dog lead and his son’s scooter.
(JM/KMcA)
East Antrim politician Sammy Wilson was pushed up against a car after he left a Chinese restaurant in the Botanic area in 2004.
Seamus O’Kane, 30, formerly of Cromwell Road, lost his appeal today in Belfast Recorder’s Court.
Judge Denise Kennedy described the assault as “unprovoked and vicious”. However, she said she was suspending the sentence because his behaviour may have been due to mental health problems.
She also said she wanted him to continue to work with a probation officer.
O’Kane was sentenced last July, after a magistrate was told he accused Mr Wilson of kicking his dog.
He then pushed him against a car before coming at him with a dog lead and his son’s scooter.
(JM/KMcA)
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