Cousin Attacker Jailed After Hammer Assault

An East Belfast man, Christopher McClean, was sentenced to two years in prison for breaking into his cousin's home and attacking him with a hammer. Judge Gordon Kerr KC described the incident as a 'sustained attack' and ordered McClean to spend an additional two years on supervised licence upon release.

The Attack:

On May 6, 2023, McClean burst into his cousin's home on the Woodstock Road in East Belfast early in the morning. Armed with a hammer, he repeatedly struck his cousin around the head while shouting threats. The victim managed to push McClean out of the room, but McClean continued the assault in the hallway before fleeing the scene.

The victim, who required medical attention for head injuries, confirmed to the police that he had not seen McClean for a considerable period before the attack. Despite McClean's denial of the accusations initially, he later admitted to the crime during police interviews.

Legal Proceedings:

During the sentencing, the court considered McClean's previous convictions, including assault charges from 2005. The judge highlighted the aggravating factors of the case, such as the level of planning involved and the victim's injuries. Despite assessments indicating a medium likelihood of reoffending, McClean was deemed not to pose a danger to the public. His defense highlighted his limited criminal record and emphasized his family's shock and disappointment at his actions.

As McClean was led to begin his sentence, his wife, visibly upset, received support from the gallery.

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