A man pushed the owner of a van after he was caught breaking into the vehicle, Craigavon Magistrates’ Court has heard.
On Friday, the defendant – a serving prisoner – appeared via video link from Maghaberry.
Martin Gerrard Maughan pleaded guilty to criminal damage, theft, common assault and interference with a vehicle.
The court heard that on June 26 of last year the van owner disturbed the 44-year-old as he was breaking into his Fiat Ducato.
The defendant caused £100 worth of damage to the vehicle and stole Specsavers glasses to the value of £125.
Maughan was later found by police using a description given and made no comment during interview.
Court also heard that when disturbed the defendant pushed the injured party out of the way before leaving.
Defence counsel stated this was a “clearing up exercise” with Maughan set for release during the first week of October.
He conceded that the defendant’s “record is prolific” but insisted “if all matters had been dealt with at once it would not have affected the overall sentence”.
The defence said the offences were “crudely executed, crudely planned” and that this was a plea at the first opportunity.
Maughan was sentenced to four months in prison to run concurrently to his current sentence.
