Co Armagh man had a knife in a Lurgan off licence, Craigavon court hears
A Co Armagh man who handed a knife over to staff at a Lurgan off licence has been given a three-month jail term.
The 29-year-old appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court via video link from Maghaberry Prison.
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Jonathan Barton, of Ulster Street, Lurgan pleaded guilty to a single charge of possessing a knife at The Stables Bar off licence.
The court heard that on Tuesday, November 25 last year, police were conducting enquiries in Taghnevan Close, Lurgan when they spotted the defendant and spoke to him regarding a separate matter.
"He said he was going into a nearby off licence to buy some alcohol. He reappeared and engaged briefly with police. Then staff from the off licence appeared, indicating the same male had come into the premises with a large kitchen knife,” a prosecutor said, adding this was confirmed by CCTV.
Defence barrister, Mr Damien Halleron, said the defendant gave the knife to the person behind the counter.
“There’s no suggestion he is brandishing it. There’s no suggestion he is trying to rob anyone,” he said.
"I suspect the truth of the matter is that he had it at some point when the police had first interaction with him and he’s decided to get rid of it before he is searched,” said the barrister ex,plaining that his client is currently a sentenced prisoner with a July 10 release date.
He said the defendant has “a long standing difficulty with alcohol and drugs”.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan sentenced Barton to three months in jail concurrent to his ongoing sentence.