Denied damage to CCTV camera

Niall Moffett, Kenlis Street, Banbridge, admitted criminal damage when he appeared last Friday at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

The court heard that on May 30 last year at 7.20pm police received a report of damage to a CCTV camera at an address in Donaghcloney. The damage amounted to £510.

The CCTV was operational and showed a number of alleged suspects in the vicinity. Moffett looks up at the camera and reaches up with his hand before the footage goes blank.

When recognised and challenged by the injured party Moffett said: “I’ll level with you. It was me but I was off my head at the time.”

A solicitor representing the defendant said he was coming back from a band parade and had drink taken.

He added that Moffett didn’t accept he broke the CCTV but that he did play a role in what happened.

The solicitor said that two other individuals were spoken to but the defendant was the only one prosecuted.

He explained that they will all be clubbing together and the money will be available in the New Year.

“It was an unsavoury incident, he regretted taking part and certainly learned a lesson,” said the solicitor.

District Judge Oonagh Mullan told Moffett it was foolishness on his part and would cost him dearly in terms of money.

Imposing a conditional discharge for 12 months she made a compensation order for £510 and gave Moffett ten weeks to pay the money.