Man who admitted assaulting Derry businessman during Apprentice Boys march given community service

A man who admitted assaulting a Derry businessman during the annual Apprentice Boys March in 2023 has been given community service at the local Magistrates' Court. 

Ian Knipe (48) of Wentworth Green in Portadown admitted one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on August 12, 2023.

An earlier court had been told that during the annual Apprentice Boys march a business man in the Spencer Road area believed Knipe, who was in the march, was going to urinate against his premises.

An altercation took place between them and the business man sustained injuries to his lip and eyebrow. 

Knipe pleaded guilty to the offence on October 15 last and the case was adjourned to allow a Pre-sentence Report to be prepared. 

A defence barrister told the court that the incident involved 'pushing and shoving' after the injured party had first shouted at the defendant. 

He said his client had displayed 'genuine remorse' and was assessed as being of a low likelihood of reoffending. 

Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter said the delay in the case was due to a dispute about the nature of the injuries. 

He said he did not believe Knipe should receive a prison sentence either immediate or suspended but he would impose a community service order 'at the higher end of the scale to reflect the seriousness of the offence.'

Knipe was sentenced to 200 hours community service.