Man burnt partner's clothes in garden blaze

Sean Canavan (39), of Leyland Court, appeared at North Antrim Magistrates Court in Coleraine on Wednesday of last week.

He pleaded guilty to damaging by fire clothing and two drawers belonging to a female.

A prosecution lawyer told the court police were contacted by Canavan’s partner on December 20 last year who said the defendant had “kicked her out of the house” and would not let her take essentials for her children.

Police visited the house and left but were called back around 9pm and saw a small fire outside the house with female clothing getting burned.

It was believed Canavan was intoxicated and he claimed to police he was just burning “rubbish” but was arrested.

A defence solicitor said it was a “domestic incident that got out of hand”.

He added the parties have now reconciled although bail conditions ahead of the case coming to court had prevented certain contacts.

He said that would change after the court case.

Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter was told Canavan had no previous criminal record and he handed down a two year conditional discharge and a 100 compensation order for the fire-damaged items even though he accepted the money was effectively going into the joint budget of the reconciled couple.