22/05/2007

Former DUP lawyer fined for assault

A former DUP mayor of Coleraine has been convicted of assault, in an incident that took place last year.

Desmond Stewart of Parker Avenue in Portrush was fined £300 for attacking a press photographer outside Antrim Courthouse last October.

Stewart had arrived for sentencing on charge of electoral fraud when the incident occurred.

A defence lawyer for Stewart said his client’s life had been “in tatters” at the time of the assault and he had “deeply regretted his actions”.

Stewart has since left the DUP.

(JM/SP)

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