Jail over vacuum cleaner attack

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A 43-year-old Belfast man who kicked his way into a former neighbour's house and assaulted the two occupants has been jailed for nine months.

Adrian Mallen, of Malfin Drive, admitted five charges over the incident in Taughmonagh estate in August 2007.

His partner Elizabeth Nesbitt, 45, from Malton Court, also admitted assault.

Both struck a female occupant of the house with a vacuum cleaner, while Mallen punched the woman's husband in the face and body.

Crown prosecutor Laura Ivers told Belfast Crown Court there was a history of tension between Mallen and his former neighbour Robert Robinson.

She said that after socialising with friends, Mallen arrived at the Finnis Close home Mr Robinson shared with his wife in the early hours of 4 August, 2007 and banged on the front door.

After being refused entry by Mr Robinson, Mallen kicked in the door.

Mr Robinson ran out the back door and phoned a friend, but when he returned to the house with a saw, he saw his wife - who had been woken by the noise - in the living room.

Vacuum cleaner

Nesbitt then arrived at the scene in her nightdress and attacked Mrs Robinson with parts of a vacuum cleaner. Mallen joined in and attacked her with the machine's metal pole before throwing the vacuum cleaner at her.

Mr Robinson came to the aid of his wife and struck Mallen several times on the arm with the saw, but Mallen punched him in the face and body several times.

The incident came to an end when Mr Robinson's friend arrived at the scene but as they were leaving, Mallen told Mr Robinson "you have 30 minutes to get out of the estate or else you are dead. If you don't leave, you will be burnt out."

Police were called and the Robinsons were taken to hospital where they were treated for minor injuries. They left the area after the incident.

Mallen will spend 12 months on probation when he is released from custody.

Nesbitt was placed on 18 months probation after admitting assault.

Paul Donaldson, 22, of Malfin Court, who walked into the house in a drunken state while the attack was taking place, was given an 18-month conditional discharge after admitting two charges of aiding and abetting assault.