Stamped twice on man's injured leg

Mark Peter McCusker, whose address was given as Cecil Street, Portadown, admitted unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man on March 31 this year.

The case was listed to be heard last Wednesday at Craigavon Magistrates Court but the judge refused jurisdiction saying it should be dealt with at a higher court.

District Judge, Mrs Bernie Kelly, said she wanted to hear the background to the offence before deciding if she could deal with the case.

A public prosecutor said that McCusker had pushed the injured party in the chest area causing him to fall on the road.

The victim said he believed his leg was broken and the defendant stamped on the leg on two occasions before punching him a number of times around the head.

The prosecutor added that at present there was no evidence to suggest that the leg was broken but medical evidence would be available later.

Judge Kelly said if the leg was broken it was a very serious matter.

She refused jurisdiction saying the matter was too serious to be dealt with by a magistrates’ court and should go to the Crown Court.

The case was adjourned until September 14 so that papers could be prepared for a preliminary enquiry.