Justice At Last

Most people in Belfast were appalled and angry last year when they heard of the brutal attack on Ross McCartney who suffers from cerebral palsy. The attack took place at the East Belfast Castlereagh Road home of the victim, on the 28th July 2008.

During the attack Ross was beaten with a 4.5kg dumb-bell to the head and suffered fractures to his check bone, nose, eye socket, as well as bleeding onto the brain.

The defendant, Alexander David McCarroll, was known to the the victim and was connected to the crime scene through his footwear marks and blood to his clothing. The 20 year old defendant Mr. McCarroll was arrested back in 2008 and was known to have a history of violence.

After a successful prosecution, Mr. Alexander David McCarroll who currently resides at HMP Hydebank, was sentenced to 11 years in prison followed by two years on probation. In addition he was also sentenced to a concurrent sentence of 6 months for theft of items from the victim's home. In sentencing the defendant His Honour Judge Babington remarked 'This was a brutal and sustained attack on a vulnerable member of society'.

Ross McCartney, who the judge stated had done well to recover from his injuries, indicated after the hearing that he was happy with the sentence and that he intended to get on with his life and make a full recovery and this site and the decent people of East Belfast, thank God for your recovery and wish you well. 

Last Updated: 23rd May 2009