Broke taxi window

Martin Gerrard Stokes (40), Shanoch Close, Coalisland, admitted a criminal damage charge when he appeared last Thursday at Banbridge Magistrates Court. He was given a conditional discharge for two years and ordered to pay £340 restitution.

The court heard a taxi driver attended at Banbridge police station. He said he had picked up two men and two women from the Downshire Hotel and was taking them to Coalisland.

An argument broke out between the two men and they, along with one female, got out of the car. Stokes struck the rear window, smashing it.

A solicitor representing Stokes said he had been at a family outing and drinking from early that day. He explained the defendant had an argument with his son He did not intend to break the window and had offered to pay for it.