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Man smashed recruitment agency window because he believed he was owed holiday pay

Sentencing deferred to allow defendant to bring £150 restitution to court

Craigavon-Courthouse

A Portadown man who threw a stone at a Co Armagh recruitment centre window has been given time to pay restitution.

Court heard the 21-year-old carried out this action because of holiday pay he believed he was entitled to.

Diego Alcino Balde, 21, of St John’s Court, pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Court heard that on November 2, at around 11.20am, police were called to FRC Recruitment after they reported that the defendant had broken a window at the agency’s property.

Staff stated Balde had made allegations of unpaid wages before going outside where he threw a stone at the window.

Defence solicitor Conor Downey informed the court that this had arisen from the defendant claiming that he had not been paid holiday back pay which he believed he was owed.

He stated that Balde has been in full-time employment the whole 18 months he has spent in the country but that work has recently dried up.

Mr Downey added that the defendant had not come to police attention since and had not signed on for benefits.

Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer deferred sentencing in the matter asking that Balde bring the full restitution of £150 when the case returns to court on March 8, next year.

He finished by stating: “On that date, you will be dealt with in accordance to your behaviour.”

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