Cork man trespassing on private property hit homeowner with a torch, court hears

A Midleton homeowner was assaulted by a stranger he found on his property when he went to lock his gates in the evening, the district court has heard.

Sergeant Linda O’Leary told Midleton District Court that John Rolston, aged 32, of Beechwood Drive, Midleton, was charged with one count of assault and one count of trespass, in relation to the incident.

The court heard on the evening of May 25 last, the homeowner went to lock their gates when they came across an individual who was not known to them, identified as Rolston. 

When the injured party asked Rolston what he was doing on the property, a “verbal altercation” ensued, after which Rolston swung a torch he was holding at the injured party, striking him on the cheek.

Defence solicitor Ken Murray said his client faced a number of issues that could have contributed to his behaviour on the evening in question, and the court heard Rolston had no previous convictions.

Judge Colm Roberts remanded Rolston on continuing bail to appear again on November 6 to allow for the completion of a probation report and victim impact statement.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme