Man caused damage to bell

Christopher David Walker (20), Banbridge Road, Waringstown, was also ordered to pay £74.75 compensation for damage caused.

On May 19 last year Walker was being escorted from Lurgan custody suite when there was a loud bang. Damage had been caused to the electronic bell on the counter. Walker became aggressive and uncooperative and was arrested for criminal damage. It was caught on CCTV.

Sentencing in the case had been deferred from a previous court.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said he had been concerned about the frequency of the defendant’s offending. He said Walker had been warned that if he failed to comply with the conditions during the period of deferment he would be facing immediate custody.

A barrister said that since last October the defendant had been engaging with probation on an alcohol and drugs course which had been set up for him. He had stayed out of trouble.

Judge Bates said the up-to-date probation report was positive and recommended community service.