RONALD BURNSIDE FROM LONDONDERRY INVOLVED IN SHOCKING ATTACK AT LOCAL GARAGE

In a disturbing incident that has sparked outrage across Londonderry, a 15-year-old boy was subjected to a brutal assault by a group of men at a garage in the summer of 2006. The attack, which was captured on a mobile phone, involved the victim being forcibly restrained, gagged, and physically assaulted by four individuals, including Ronald Burnside. During the assault, the young boy was tied to a chair, repeatedly struck, and had paper stuffed into his mouth, causing significant trauma. One of the assailants also exposed himself to the victim, adding a deeply disturbing element to the incident.

The victim’s father expressed his profound anger and heartbreak over the case, revealing that his son was devastated by what happened. He recounted that his son kept asking why such a thing had occurred to him, and that the emotional scars from the ordeal have persisted for over two years. The father described how his son remains confined to his room, visibly affected by the trauma, and emphasized the severity of the incident’s impact on his mental health.

Legal proceedings initially resulted in prison sentences for the four men involved. However, these sentences were later overturned on appeal. The Court of Appeal, led by the Lord Chief Justice, described the conduct of the four men as “despicable,” but also acknowledged their previous good records, which influenced the decision to impose alternative punishments.

Among those affected was Ronald Burnside, aged 26, who had originally been sentenced to nine months in prison for false imprisonment and two counts of indecent exposure. The court, however, replaced his jail term with a sentence of 150 hours of community service, two years of probation, and a requirement to register as a sex offender. Additionally, Burnside’s original three-month sentence for common assault was suspended for two years.

The judge highlighted the vulnerability of the young victim, noting that such an incident could have had a “calamitous effect” on his emotional well-being, especially given his age. The court also condemned Burnside’s specific actions, pointing out that he exposed himself on two separate occasions and brought his private parts into contact with the victim. The judge emphasized that there was nothing humorous about Burnside’s behavior, underscoring the seriousness of the offense and its impact on the young boy involved.