Wilson assault man escapes prison

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A man found guilty of assaulting the East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has avoided going to prison.

The DUP politician was pushed up against a car after leaving a restaurant in the Botanic area in 2004.

Seamus O'Kane, 40, formerly of Cromwell Road in Belfast, was given four-months' jail, suspended for two years, in Belfast Recorder's Court.

Judge Denise Kennedy said O'Kane's behaviour may have been due to mental health problems.

She described the assault as "unprovoked and vicious" and added that she wanted him to continue to work with a probation officer.

O'Kane was sentenced last July after a magistrate was told that he accused Mr Wilson of kicking his dog.

He then pushed the MP against a car before coming at him with a dog lead and his son's scooter.