A man in possession of an offensive weapon – a padlock in a sock – has avoided being locked up in prison.
Dylan McEnoy (22), of Carrigart Crescent, Craigavon, was given a four months jail term, suspended for a year, at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court.
As well as the offensive weapon charge he was sentenced on charges of driving whilst unfit, failing to stop, remain and report a collision, having a defective tyre and possession of cocaine and cannabis.
A prosecutor said at around 8.30pm on Sunday, October 6 last year, the defendant crashed into the rear of a vehicle at a roundabout in Craigavon. He had then driven off but the car was located a short distance away parked up with number plates removed.
The defendant’s wallet was in the car.
He had an alcohol in breath reading of 48mcgs – the legal limit is 35.
A defence barrister said the offences had been a “wake-up call” to the defendant.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan noted the defendant had originally claimed the padlock in the sock was not a weapon but had been put there to “identify it from other padlocks”.
As well as the suspended prison term the defendant was banned from driving for 16 months and will have to re-sit his test to get back on the road.
The judge put in place a “destruction order for the padlock but leave the sock alone”.
