Belfast Magistrates' Court heard how the woman suffered injuries when she fell in one of the incidents in October 2013. Wilson claimed the victim had been aggressive and "sticking her nose in" as he spoke to a motorist outside his home. During a contested hearing in February, he said: "With my big belly, because she was flailing her hands about, I just bounced her back." According to his account, she fell backwards, landing on her tail bone area. He also claimed fertiliser was flung at him after the fall.
Questioned by the prosecution about his claim to have "bounced" his neighbour, Wilson had replied: "What am I going to do? Grab her with my belly?" He added: "She was very aggressive, she wasn't getting her own way... and I knew what was coming next." Wilson was also found guilty of a series of offences connected to the dispute which occurred six days previously. They included assaults on the two women, being found on the elderly lady's premises for an unlawful purpose, and criminal damage to a front door, television and vase belonging to her. Two assaults on police also featured on his list of convictions.
During Wednesday's sentencing, a defence barrister said: "At the time of these offences it appears Mr Wilson was under pressure. I'm told there were various parking difficulties." Passing sentence, the judge imposed eight months in jail for the belly assault incident. He also handed a series of lesser prison terms for the other offences, all to run concurrently. Each of the sentences was suspended for two years. Giving Wilson six months to pay the total financial restitution, the judge said: "Compensation has to be paid within the required time. There is a risk that failing to pay it will result in imprisonment for 28 days."
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