A repeat offender is given a seven month jail sentence

A man who committed 25 offences in the last year was given a seven-month jail sentence when he appeared before District Judge Barney McElholm at Londonderry Magistrates Court.

Emmett Noel Smith (20), of Marianus Park in the Cityside, pleaded guilty to a variety of offences including interfering with vehicles, theft, possessing drugs, burglary and handling stolen goods.

Smith also admitted further charges of criminal damage, handling goods stolen in the Republic of Ireland and allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle.

The Magistrates Court was told that all the offences were committed in the year between July last year and July this year.

Solicitor Kevin Casey, who appeard for the defence, told the court his client had been released on bail to live in Wales to get him away from negative peers.

He said that the defendant had spent a considerable amount of time on remand and urged the court not to impose further custody.

District Judge Barney McElholm imposed a seven month sentence, with time already served. He also suspended a 10-month sentence for three years, disqualified Smith from driving for a year and ordered him to pay £100 in compensation.