A bloke has been jailed after launching a brutal assault on an influencer while she was out with her friends.
Charleen Murphy, from Dublin, was “punched full force” from behind. The blow sent her head into the drinking glasses.
The 24-year-old was left with “blood-soaked hair and a two-inch gash that required stitches” after the assault from Craig O’Brien from Ballyfermot. The 28-year-old appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the social media star on February 10, the Irish Examiner reported. O’Brien told police in interview that influencers were "ganging up on him" and "deserved it."
READ MORE: Inside 'Burns OCG' crime gang who posed as tourists in Ibiza to traffic drugs across UK
For the latest news from the Daily Star, click here .
O'Brien followed podcaster Charleen on Instagram but otherwise was a stranger to her. It's believed he was suffering drug issues and psychosis at the time.
According to MailOnline, she later said of the attack: “Unfortunately there remains a very dark side to social media that I have become a victim of in a way I could never have imagined." Judge Orla Crowe remarked on the 'absolutely shocking footage that came out of nowhere' as CCTV evidence was shown to the court.
-
Children as young as 12 take up arms to fight off bloodthirsty cartels in Mexico
She said: “Ms Murphy had no way of protecting herself as she was hit from behind”. Charleen saw O'Brien – whom she had never met in person but had known of – as she turned around and he was walking away from her.
Judge Crowe told the court that the pair has no history between them, calling the attack “unprovoked and unwarranted”. O'Brien took medication for psychosis daily.
Miska Hanahoe, defending, said O'Brien was apologetic and insisted he doesn't pose a current danger to Charleen. Ms Hanahoe also expressed that her client has a problem with aggression, which is linked to drugs that he began taking at age 14.
-
Escort worked in school to shape children's sex education as double life exposed
Judge Crowe sentenced him to two years and three months. The final nine months will be suspended for 18 months. He has also been ordered to unfollow the influencer on social media, and banned from contacting her.
According to the Daily Mail, Charleen posted a photo of herself in hospital to her Instagram. She thanked them for all the “continued love and support”.
She wrote: “Today I finally got some justice for the attack I was subjected to in February of this year. The night in question was supposed to be a fun catch up with an old friend for dinner and drinks in a restaurant.
“However an individual sought out my location to cause me harm. I say some justice because to me, 18 months won't ever amount to the damage that was done and how it affected and still affects me today."
Keep up to date with all the latest news stories. By signing up for one of Daily Star's free newsletters here.
Source: Read Full Article