A barrister has said a Lurgan man will not break the cycle of violence towards his mother unless he finds a home away from her.
Andrew John Roland, of Princeton Avenue, pleaded guilty to common assault, threats to damage property, breach of a restraining order and criminal damage at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court.
The 26-year-old, who appeared at court on Friday via videolink from Maghaberry, stood charged with offences which were committed on July 12 this year and for which he has been in custody since that date.
On that day at around 5.20pm police responded to a report from the injured party, Roland’s mother, who claimed her son had been drinking and had kicked her door after an argument.
However, when officers arrived at the address in Lurgan, the defendant’s mother was unwilling to make a statement.
Later at around 8.30pm the injured party contacted police again, this time saying her son had assaulted her by grabbing her by the hair.
She also told officers that he had burned her sofa, carpet and clothes using an iron.
When interviewed by police Roland made no comment to questions.
It was revealed that the injured party currently has a restraining order on her son which prohibits him to make threats or act violently.
Defence barrister Aaron Thompson said this was a cycle where the defendant starts drinking, they argue, he goes to prison.
He informed the court: “In the last six months he has spent three days outside of prison.”
Mr Thompson said that the incident with the iron had been a case of Roland leaving the device on after using it, adding: “It was lucky he stopped it before there was a fire.”
The barrister said the defendant had a “dysfunctional family life” and that he would be unable to break the cycle until he found housing away from his mother.
Roland was sentenced to three months in prison on each charge to run concurrently.
