Women subjected to homophobic taunts

Sunday 09 June 2019

A man charged with common assault has been given a 12 month probation order for asking two young women to kiss and then becoming aggressive when they did not.

The Magistrate's Court heard that Anthony Hanley, 39, was drunk on the night in question in January when he encountered the young couple.

On 28 January 2019, the two female victims left the front of their property when they heard a male voice belonging to Hanley. The defendant was reportedly intoxicated and asked the complainants if they wanted to attend a party with him and goaded them to kiss one another. 

When they declined, he attempted to kiss the victims, but they pushed him away and he became aggressive calling them “faggots”.

"Next time I invite you to a party you're going to come," he threatened. 

He was arrested on 30 January on suspicion of sexual assault. The charge he eventually pleaded guilty to was common assault against one of the young women.

The court heard that the victims were very shaken up and upset. As part of the victim impact statement provided by the complainant after the assault she said she had carried a can of deodorant with her to use in her defence should she see the defendant again. 

Judge Gary Perry presiding over the Magistrate's Court on Thursday said that whilst the offence was serious, the root of the assault was the defendant’s dependence on alcohol.

“Although a serious offence, I accept that drink is a factor,” he said upon sentencing. 

“I am treating you as a man of good character. You should be ashamed of this behaviour,” he said.

Hanley was sentenced to 12 months’ probation on an oath of good behaviour and to comply with the terms of the drug and alcohol rehabilitation scheme.