An Armagh man who smashed windows at the home of another male with a ‘bull hook’ has been handed a suspended prison sentence after paying restitution in excess of £1,000.
The 33-year-old’s barrister told court that this was as a result of a dispute between the partners of the two parties and had since resolved.
Thomas Noel Maughan, of Drumarg Park, appeared for sentencing on two counts of criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place at Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry.
Prosecution outlined that at around 4am on October 14, 2020, police received a report of criminal damage from the injured party at their home in the Callanbridge area of Armagh.
He claimed that at 3.25am, he had been awakened by the sound of glass shattering and the alarm of his Toyota Avensis.
The injured party came downstairs to find that his living room window and a window panel on his front door had been smashed. Outside he discovered that the windscreen of his car had also been damaged.
CCTV showed a male smashing the windows with a bull hook shaped item, and from the height, build and gait the injured party was able to identify the culprit as this defendant.
Footage from the home of Maughan showed a male leaving the property with a bull hook and returning at relevant times.
Defence barrister Kevin O’Hare stated that this was a “serious matter” and informed the court his client had with him in excess of £1,000 in order to compensate for the damage caused.
The barrister commented that the dispute which existed between the partners of the two parties has since resolved.
Taking into account the restitution which was to be paid to the injured party, District Judge Bernie Kelly sentenced the defendant to three months in prison suspended for a period of two years.
