Suspended sentence for 'one punch assault' that left a man in Intensive care

A man has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Crown Court for a 'one punch assault' that left a man in Intensive care.

Caoimhin McSheffrey (29) of Coshowen in Derry admitted a charge of grievous bodily harm on a man on May 2 2022.

He also admitted a charge of assault on another man on the same date. 

The court heard that the victim in the case was walking down Waterloo Street on the night in question and saw an incident. 

Those involved in the incident eventually walked away but as this occurred McSheffrey punched the injured party once in the face causing him to strike his head on the pavement. 

A friend of the victim came to his assistance and McSheffrey assaulted him as well.

Judge Neil Rafferty KC said that the victim sustained serious injury and added 'one punch but the outcome was serious and could have been horrific.'

He added that McSheffrey had shown no propensity for being involved in 'drunken street violence' and was well thought off within the wider community. 

Judge Rafferty said that drunken street violence 'could have had deadly consequences' for the victim. 

He said he had dealt with one punch cases that had resulted in death. 

The judge said that the main aggravating factor in the case was that it involved 'public violence fuelled by alcohol' and the courts had to deter others from becoming involved in that sort of activity. 

He said that in general those who engage in drunken public violence should go to prison. 

However, he added that McSheffrey had shown remorse and realised 'what you could have done.' 

He said such 'mindless action' could have had consequences for the defendant's family life and employment. 

Judge Rafferty said that having read the pre-sentence report he believed that McSheffrey would probably never appear before the Crown Court again. 

He imposed a sentence of two years in prison suspended for 3 years.