Man who attacked teenager gets suspended sentence
A man who attacked a 13-year-old boy at a family christening - punching, kicking and banging the child’s head off the ground - has been given a two-year suspended sentence and ordered to pay €3,000 compensation by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Robert Douche (aged 27) of Alderwood Green, Tallaght pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the boy at Sundale Villas, Tallaght, on February 13, 2005.
Judge Michael White said to Douche "I hope you are ashamed of yourself" and ordered the money to be paid to the child’s parents for his benefit.
Garda David Jennings earlier told Melanie Greally BL, prosecuting, that the boy was attending a family christening celebration where a large amount of alcohol had been taken.
A fight broke out between two men and the boy said he was going to call gardaí.
Douche, then 25, intervened calling the boy names saying "why are you ringing the guards you little bastard" and punched the child who fell to the ground.
Douche jumped on the child, kicked him, grabbed him by the hair and banged his head of the ground.
The boy suffered bruising to his face, neck and back and has a permanent lump above his left eye.
Judge White heard the boy is now more fearful for his personal safety but that the familles involved have since "made amends".
Kieran Kelly BL, defending, said Douche had no previous conviction and had apologised to the boy.
Mr Kelly said the victim had expressed a wish that Douche not go to jail.
Mr Kelly said Douche’s brother had recently died in custody and that he had been badly affected by the loss.
