A Portadown man has been sentenced to two months in prison for offences including common assault and disorderly behaviour.
Court heard that the 25-year-old someone who would be “binge drinking” and a judge told him it pained her to see someone so young give up on life.
Christian Barclay, 25, of Selshion Parade, pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault, disorderly behaviour and threats to damage property at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
In explaining what drove him to offence on this occasion, defence barrister Aaron Thompson stated: “Barclay has been a binge drinker since his teenage years and at this time he turned to drink after a fight with a long-term girlfriend.”
Court heard the defendant was awaiting a pre-sentence report and was due to be sentenced for the theft of a mobile phone before Belfast Magistrates’ in two weeks.
Mr Thompson asked that “a short enough sentence be given to give this young man a chance”.
District Judge Bernie Kelly commented: “This makes me very sad, I am old enough to be your mother and I have no intention of dying any time soon.
“But it pains me to see someone as young as you give up, young people, that think life has no merit and are content to drink themselves to death.”
She told Barclay to seek help through the prison service for his alcohol problem as she sentenced him to two months in prison.
Judge Kelly said: “This is so that you may see light at the end of the tunnel and in the hope that I never see you again.”
