A drunken man who smashed his stepfather’s window after being refused entry has been handed a conditional discharge.
The 26-year-old’s barrister told court: “This was a sorry set of circumstances, Mr Conlon has since abstained from alcohol.”
Conor Conlon, of Springfield Road, Belfast pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Armagh Magistrates’ on Tuesday.
Prosecution outlined that on November 28, at 8.30am, police received a report from the injured party.
He told them his step-son, the defendant, had come to his address in Armagh in a highly intoxicated state.
It was heard that Conlon had attempted to enter the property through an upstairs window using a ladder but had been denied entry by the injured party due to his demeanour.
The defendant then proceeded to smash a small downstairs window.
Conlon was later arrested at his own home and gave a no comment interview whilst in custody.
DNA evidence collected from the glass window confirmed that the defendant had been the culprit.
Prosecution informed the court that the cost to replace the window was £160.32.
Defence barrister Scott McWhinney stated: “This was a sorry set of circumstances, Mr Conlon has since abstained from alcohol.
“He is attending Springwell House where he is breathalysed once a day”.
He continued: “He can give no rational reason for his visit to this address, alcohol is a problem for this man and one only he can address.
“He has since this not come to any police attention, he has a limited record although this is in breach of a combination order for similar offending”.
District Judge Paul Copeland stated: “Your record is concerning and recent, to keep you in check I am going to impose a conditional discharge for 12 months”.
In addition, Conlon was also ordered to pay compensation to the sum of £160.32 to the injured party.
