Conditional Discharge for man who threw flower pot

A man who threatened staff at a sheltered accommodation for vulnerable people, was given a Conditional Discharge for two years at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
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Thirty-two-year-old Declan Seamus Patrick Kennedy whose address was given as Church Lane Mews, Magherafelt, admitted charges of common assault, damaging a window and plant pot belonging to the Northern Trust, and attempted criminal damage of a car.

The court heard the offences happened on dates in June, August and October last year.

Passing sentence, Deputy District Judge Noel Dunlop said he took into consideration Kennedy’s mental health issues.

Court reportCourt report
Court report

Outlining the incident on June 4, prosecuting counsel said at 2.25pm police were tasked to Church Lane Mews in response to a report that the defendant had kicked over a flower pot and thrown it at an office window where the on site doctor was located.

Counsel said Kennedy had also threatened members of staff that he would get them and they believed the threat would be carried out.

A defence lawyer said Kennedy is schizophrenic who was presently in Holywell Hospital under the mental health legislation.

He explained that the defendant went in cycles between detention in Holywell and accommodation at Church Lane Mews.

The lawyer stressed there were never any physical assaults.

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