Fine for Union Mills man who attacked car salesman

Richard Powell denies being motivated by paedophilia rumours

A Union Mills man who carried out an unprovoked attack on a car salesman has been fined.

Richard Malcolm Powell, of Lhergy Cripperty, appeared before magistrates at Douglas courthouse.

He’s pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and theft on 20 December, 2020.

At his trial, the court heard he’d travelled to BCC motors in Kirk Michael with Emma Louise Mardlin.

Once at the business, he asked his victim about his sexual predilections before attacking him.

Representing himself, Powell denied he’d been motivated by false paedophilia rumours spread via Facebook and said he’d simply wanted to buy a car.

Both Powell and Dr Mardlin were cleared of stealing the man’s mobile phone, but Powell was convicted of causing actual bodily harm.

Magistrates fined him £750 and ordered him to pay £250 compensation to the man he assaulted and £1,025 in prosecution costs.