Man jailed for attacking ‘Good Samaritan’ who found him lying drunk in CastleCourt

Kel Bryson, 31, inflicted multiple blows and split the other man’s lip after being discovered lying drunk in the CastleCourt complex earlier this year.

Prosecutors said he also used his head to strike a security guard who tried to intervene.

Bryson, with an address at Belmont Place in the city, received a three-month prison sentence.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard the first victim spotted Bryson lying on the floor at CastleCourt on February 14.

When the man approached and tried to help he was subjected to abuse and accused of stealing the defendant’s phone.

Bryson became increasingly aggressive and punched him on the jaw.

“He then threw some more punches which hit him on the head and face,” a Crown lawyer said.

The man tried to get away but was grabbed by the coat and pulled to the ground.

“The defendant fell on top of him and continued to rain punches down on him,” the prosecutor added.

“He received a split lip and said he was shocked because he had been genuinely concerned for the male and was just trying to help him.”

Security staff went to the scene in a bid to stop the attack.

But during a scuffle Bryon deliberately threw his head back, striking one of the guards on the lip as well, the court heard.

He also behaved threateningly towards police and struggled during attempts to apply handcuffs.

Bryson admitted two counts of common assault and a further charge of resisting police.

District Judge Amanda Henderson asked: “What state was Mr Bryson (in) that caused him to so viciously attack someone who was trying to help him?”

Defence barrister Turlough Madden replied: “He was totally intoxicated... this is an incident he’s totally remorseful for.”

Despite giving Bryson credit for pleading guilty, Mrs Henderson indicated that the sentencing powers available to her did not reflect the seriousness of the assaults.

Imposing the three-month term, she said: “I have what I have before me.”