Kicked child on bottom

It was reported to police by the injured party that he had been out in the street playing with friends when the defendant - a foreign national living in Moyraverty Meadows - had accused him of throwing snowballs at his house.

The court was told the defendant - 29-year-old Mindaugas Lukavicius - had brought the seven-year-old into his house, "kicked him on the bum three times and allowed him to leave the property".

When interviewed by police the defendant denied kicking the injured party.

Lukavicius' solicitor told the court the defendant's home had been pelted with snowballs for hours prior to and after the incident.

According to his solicitor, Lukavicius, who has a clear record, had grabbed the young boy when he pushed snow through the letterbox.

District Judge Alan White said: "It can be irritating when a child throws snowballs at your property.

Perhaps 30 or 40 years ago society would have been happy for it to be dealt with by way of a kick up the bottom, but not any more."

Lukavicius was fined 100 and ordered to pay 100.