A Belfast man has been handed a 22-month prison sentence today after he admitted strangling and punching a woman at a city bus stop in a violent incident that was initially mistaken for a medical emergency by passing motorists.
Court hears disturbing details of attack
Ryan Gerard Murray, who has no fixed address, pleaded guilty to charges of non-fatal strangulation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm during a hearing at Belfast Crown Court. The attack occurred on May 30 last year at a bus stop on Antrim Road in North Belfast.
Judge Patrick Lynch KC imposed the sentence, ordering that Murray will serve half the term in prison and the remaining half on supervised licence upon his release.
Motorists initially thought attack was CPR
The court heard how a couple driving along Antrim Road witnessed two people at a bus stop, with one person lying on the ground and another on top of them. The female passenger initially believed the person on top was performing CPR on the individual below, prompting the couple to stop their vehicle.
As they approached, they noticed a second vehicle parked nearby sounding its horn. The male drivers from both cars communicated and quickly realised the man at the bus stop was actually strangling a woman as she lay on the ground.
Violent confrontation about money
When the motorists walked toward the bus stop, they heard the pair arguing about money, with the woman repeatedly telling Murray to leave her alone. The woman managed to get up and began walking away, but Murray pulled her arm and then punched her once to the left side of her face.
One of the male motorists immediately intervened, placing himself between the woman and Murray until police officers arrived at the scene. Officers noted that both Murray and the injured woman appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Victim disengaged from authorities
The woman told police that Murray had strangled her during the confrontation, but this marked her last engagement with authorities. She did not provide a formal statement of complaint following the initial report.
Murray was arrested and during police interviews gave a 'no comment' response to all questions put to him. He later pleaded guilty to both charges against him.
Prosecution highlights defendant's background
A Crown barrister informed Judge Lynch that while the injured party and defendant were known to each other, this case was not aggravated by domestic abuse considerations. The prosecutor also revealed that a significant portion of Murray's 66 previous convictions were linked to his use of drugs and alcohol.
Regarding Murray's addiction issues, his solicitor described these problems as an "absolute blight" on his client's life and confirmed that steps had been taken to address them. The solicitor added that Murray's Probation Report contained expressions of "genuine remorse" and an acknowledgement that he needs to "change his life and turn it around."
Judge addresses seriousness of offences
Judge Lynch noted that since being on remand since last June, Murray has been working with addiction services and has remained drugs-free. However, the judge branded both offences as serious when imposing the sentence.
Judge Lynch specifically addressed the long-term physical and mental impacts that incidents of non-fatal strangulation can have upon victims, emphasising the gravity of such violent acts within the community.
The case highlights both the dangers of public violence and the importance of community intervention, with the passing motorists' actions potentially preventing further harm during the disturbing incident at the Belfast bus stop.
