Machete found in man’s car

Eighteen-year-old Jordan David Reynolds, Merrion Drive, Lurgan, was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months, for possession of the weapon on March 15 this year.

A concurrent two month term, also suspended for 12 months, was imposed for possession of a baseball bat on the same date.

He was fined £200, with six points and a £15 offender’s levy, for driving without insurance and fined £100 for possession of cannabis resin.

The court heard that at 3.55pm a police patrol at Oxford Island saw a car parked with four males inside it. A check revealed there was no insurance for the vehicle.

There was a broken baseball bat under the front passenger seat and a 20 inch machete which he said was for his protection.

A further search of the car uncovered some cannabis resin in a tobacco tin in the driver’s door.

Mr Gerry Drain, representing the defendant, said an individual had threatened to kill the defendant and done damage to his father’s home address.

He added that Reynolds was genuinely afraid of this person.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said that whatever threat the defendant may have been under there was no reason to carry these sort of things around with him.

If he had used them it could have led to more serious charges, added Judge Bates.