Punched mother and daughter at St. Patrick's celebrations in Derry

A mother and daughter who travelled to Derry for the St Patrick's Day celebrations were assaulted in Derry City Centre the local Magistrate's Court heard today. 

Darren McGrath (20) of no fixed abode admitted two assaults on the women on March 17 and assaulting another man and stealing a mobile phone on the same date.

The court heard that police were on anti-social behaviour patrol and received a report of a fight in the Victoria car park.

They spoke to two females one of whom said the defendant asked her for a cigarette and when she said she had none he punched her to the side of the jaw.

Her daughter then intervened and McGrath punched her to the face.

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A male then intervened and held McGrath until police arrived.

The court was told both the mother and daughter were visiting the city from Belfast.

The court was also told about another incident when McGrath was at a St Patrick's Night gathering and asked to borrow the host's phone to play music.

McGrath was then seen to be bullying people and was asked to leave and he punched the man in the face who then realised some time later his phone was gone.

When McGrath was arrested the phone was found in his property. 

The court was told that the defendant has 133 previous convictions. 

Defence counsel Stephen McNicholl said his client deserved credit for an early guilty plea.

He said McGrath has 'a significant record' but accepted responsibility for his actions.

The barrister said that no one deserved to be treated in the way these two women were.

District Judge Oonagh Mullan said that McGrath had 'a shocking record' and sentenced him to 4 months in prison.