Darren Johnston jailed after assaulting dad for running out of beer on Christmas Eve

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30604698

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A man who assaulted his father for running out of beer on Christmas Eve has been jailed for four months.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard Darren Johnston, 36, slapped and sat on top of the victim.

Johnston, of Laburnum Court in east Belfast, pleaded guilty to a single charge of assault.

A prosecution lawyer said the incident took place at a house in the early hours of Wednesday.

He told the court Johnston became increasingly agitated during an argument between the pair.

"He blamed his father for having no more beer," the lawyer said.

As well as slapping and sitting on the victim, Johnston also demanded money for food, the court heard.

A defence solicitor said: "It's an extremely unfortunate set of circumstances where these two people find themselves with no-one else in their lives."

He added that there had been a disagreement over the arrangements for Christmas dinner.