Assaulted mother and damaged home

Daniel Millar, Mellifont Drive, Armagh, appeared by way of videolink from Hydebank.

He was sentenced to three months in custody, suspended for 12 months, for assault on December 29 last year.

Concurrent two month terms, also suspended for 12 months, were imposed for two criminal damage offences and unlawful possession of a class C drug, Diazepam.

The court heard that about 1pm police went to an address in Lurgan where the injured party claimed she had been struck on the right forearm by the defendant. She had just recovered from a fractured arm and was only out of plaster.

She hid in a bedroom and Millar punched a panel in the bedroom door and also punched a light switch. He had 18 Diazepam tablets in his pocket.

Millar denied assaulting his mother and said he had done the damage at a previous time.

Mr Conor Downey, representing the defendant, said he had been in custody since the commission of the offences and it was the first time he had ever been in custody.

He added that if the court would leave something hanging over the head of the defendant Millar’s grandparents would take him but they would expect certain standards of behaviour.

“He would have to toe the line,” said Mr Downey.

District Judge, Mr Peter King, said Millar had a clear record but it was a mean offence against his mother.