Actor scarred for life by teen

A young actor cannot get any roles after being left permanently scarred by a teenager who slashed his face with a piece of glass in a row about drugs, a court has heard.

The 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing serious harm to Andrew Cusack, 21, on Dame Lane, Dublin in the early hours of May 2. Judge Melanie Greally yesterday jailed the youth, who has six previous convictions, for four years with the final year suspended.

Mr Cusack read a victim impact statement to the court: “You have tarnished my life, my reputation and my face. Every night I go to bed, I am reminded of what you did to me. And when I wake up I am reminded of what you did to me. Every time I meet someone I’m aware of my deformity.”

The actor said people now “avoid” and “stare” at him: “I will look like this at every job interview and people will always ask if I’m dangerous and why I got the scars. I’m someone who has decided to follow a passion and this passion was based on my physical appearance. You have made such acting roles unobtainable for me.”

Kathleen Noctor, prosecuting, told the court Mr Cusack bought three ecstasy tablets from the accused in Dublin but soon realised they were fake. Later, Mr Cusack and his friend met the teen again and looked for a refund. Ms Noctor told the court that CCTV footage captured the accused becoming enraged with Mr Cusack. The accused walked away but the victim followed him. The youth then picked up a broken pint glass from a ledge and struck Mr Cusack.

The accused must undergo two years of probation supervision and address his substance abuse issues on release.