A Craigavon man who damaged equipment at a local hospital has been told to get a job and come back at the end of the month with the money to fix it.
A district judge told the 45-year-old: “Let me guess, you’re on benefits, you don’t need to get up in the pitch dark to go to work like the rest of us.”
Daniel McConville, of Meadowbrook, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and disorderly behaviour at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Court heard that the damage referred to an ECG monitor which belonged to Craigavon Area Hospital.
Prosecution stated that the estimate was “not as costly as first thought”, as he revealed the damage totalled £163.53.
District Judge Bernie Kelly stated: “Here’s the thing, I don’t take gross misbehaviour in a hospital lightly.
“Let me guess, you’re on benefits, you don’t need to get up in the pitch dark to go to work like the rest of us.”
A pre-sentence report was ordered with McConville ordered to return on January 30.
District Judge Kelly told the defendant: “This does cross the custody threshold but I will tell you what you can do.
“Firstly, turn up on that date with the £163.53, but what will really impress me is if you come to court on the next occasion with a job.”
The case will return on January 30 for sentencing.
