Co Armagh man smashed window into pieces with a metal pole and cut his hand during early morning attack in Portadown, Craigavon court hears

David Harvey, aged 25, from Fitzgerald Park, Portadown, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with criminal damage.

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Harvey’s solicitor, Ms Siún Downey said her client pleaded guilty and acknowledged the defendant already has 12 entries for criminal damage on his record.

Police received a call at 2.46am on April 18 last year regarding an attack on a house at Westland Road in Portadown.

"The defendant approached the house and repeatedly hit the downstairs front living room window, smashing it in multiple pieces,” a Prosecutor told the court.

She added “specks of blood” were found on the window frame outside, pieces of glass on the window ledge and sofa inside. “There was also blood observed on the metal gate and a metal pole with blood on it found near the scene.

"Police viewed the CCTV footage and witnessed the defendant in a tracksuit approach the house holding a metal pole in his right hand. He hit the window multiple times smashing it into pieces and cuts his hand in the process,” she said.

Police forensics took samples of blood from parts of the glass and the metal pole and the results matched the defendant. During interview he admitted the offence.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “So at 2.46am and it’s an attack on a house – and a man with a terrible record for criminal damage. The custody threshold is wide open here Ms Downey.”

Telling the defendant to stand up, he said: "I don't know what's going on here, but we'll find out, Mr Harvey, down the line. I don't know how many people were in that house, children, etc.”

He ordered a Pre-Sentence Report and adjourned the case until March 25.

"Mr Harvey, you face prison if you don’t attend Probation and you are no stranger to it,” said the District Judge.

A Prosecutor said there is an application for restitution for £230.