A man who admitted being disorderly as fans left an Irish League football match between Coleraine and Linfield has been fined £200.
Rhys Hutchinson (19), a meat factory worker, of Farranseer Park in Macosquin near Coleraine, appeared at the town’s Magistrates Court on Monday in connection with the incident.
A prosecutor said on Tuesday January 30 this year police were on patrol in the area of Coleraine Showgrounds and as Linfield fans were leaving, the defendant was observed speaking to a Linfield fan at Ballycastle Road and striking him with his hand.
When cautioned, Hutchinson told police: “I take full responsibility”.
Defence solicitor Sam Barr said his client had been standing with friends waiting for a taxi when someone from the other side of the road shouted and the defendant had then gone over to “remonstrate”.
The lawyer claimed the defendant had been hit and he “retaliated with a single punch”.
Mr Barr said Hutchinson was sober at the time of the incident and wished to apologise.
Deputy District Judge Anne Marshall fined the defendant £200 and said it was the second time he had been arrested for disorderly behaviour, previously receiving a ‘diversion’.
Several people have appeared in court in recent years in relation to trouble outside Coleraine matches.
