A Co Armagh man who smashed a church window in anger has been given a further chance to “get off the track he is on” following the passing of his mother.
The 54-year-old’s barrister told Craigavon Magistrates Court: “She was one of the view people he had a good relationship with, he had very few social relationships, this has had an impact on him and he has been grieving”.
Earl Thomas Mahood, of Oakdene Park, Bleary appeared for sentencing on a charge criminal damage on Friday.
It was previously heard that on December 12, of last year, police attended First Lurgan Presbyterian Church after reports of criminal damage.
Officers arrived to find that a window pane on the front door had been smashed.
Inside the church they found a piece of brick which appeared to have caused the damage.
CCTV from a neighbouring property was viewed and it showed the defendant damaging the window at around 2am the previous night.
Mahood was arrested and during interview admitted to smashing the window.
He told police that he had done it because he was angry.
The defendant had also been accused of damaging Remembrance Day crosses.
Last month, District Judge Bernie Kelly instructed that Mahood; find somewhere to live, register with a GP, to seek help with his mental health, and sign on for benefits.
Speaking on Friday, Defence barrister John McCann stated: “In terms of the conditions, he is still residing with his brother, but unfortunately days after his last appearance his mother passed away and he has been in a bad way because of this.
“She was one of the few people he had a good relationship with; he had very few social relationships, this has had an impact on him and he has been grieving.”
He added: “If he was given a few weeks, Mr Mahood has instructed he would seek medical attention and sign on for benefits.”
Judge Kelly deferred the case to November 8 for these conditions to be met.
