Co Tyrone man smashed window in neighbour's house while she was sleeping on the sofa

Imposing the sentence, District Judge Francis Rafferty remarked that it had been “a very frightening ordeal” for the woman as it would be for anyone.

The judge said the woman had helped the defendant in the past, and he had returned this by breaking her window.

Before the court was 29-year-old Ronan Fitzpatrick, of Pinebank Gardens, Coalisland, who admitted a charge of criminal damage.

Prosecuting counsel told the court that on May 10 last, police attended Coalisland where the complainant told them that at about 2.40am she was downstairs on her sofa and had fallen asleep when the window was smashed.

The lawyer said she got up and ran outside where she saw a male running off down the street.

She thought she recognised the male as the defendant who had stayed on and off at her house when he was not drinking.

Counsel said she shouted “Ronan” and the male turned round and she saw his face.

Fitzpatrick was later arrested but denied the allegations and being in the area, the lawyer added.

A defence lawyer pointed out the defendant has no previous convictions.

He explained Fitzpatrick had been trying to get in but was refused because he had drink taken and took his frustration out on the window.

The judge also put in place a two-year restraining order and ordered the defendant to pay £116.55 compensation to Apex Housing Association.