Lurgan man punched dashboard of his mum's car and smashed rear view mirror as she was driving, Craigavon court told
A Co Armagh man, who punched the dashboard of his mother’s car and smashed the rear view mirror as she was driving, was not long out of prison, a court has heard.
The 23-year-old Lurgan man appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court via video link from Maghaberry Prison.
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Ryan Shortt, from Carrickvale Manor, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and common assault.
The court heard police were tasked to a domestic incident between the defendant and his mother on May 6 last year.
Shortt’s mother told police that while she was driving on William Street in Lurgan, there was a ‘verbal altercation’ about the defendant’s ‘drinking habit’.
"The defendant became very aggressive during this, punching the dashboard and the rear view mirror which smashed and left hanging off,” the prosecutor said, adding the woman was “put in fear due to the defendant’s behaviour”.
Before exiting the car Shortt took his mother’s phone from the door pocket. His mum went to another property as “she was scared of the defendant” however her phone was returned to her.
The prosecutor noted the parties appeared to have reconciled.
Shortt’s barrister, Mr Barry McKenna, pointed out his client admitted his guilt at interview.
"I admit he was not long out of custody when these offences were committed. There was a certain amount of excitement on him being released back into the community,” said the barrister.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “Any assault against your mother is a particularly serious matter.”
He sentenced Shortt to three months in jail for each offence plus £25 offender levy. “That is some extra time for Mr Short to serve,” he said.