Threatened to slash friend

David Mulholland (46), whose address was given to the court as Union Street, Lurgan, admitted possession of an offensive weapon on November 21 last year with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.

He was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

The court heard that about 8.30pm the defendant contacted police by phone saying that he had fallen out with his friend the previous evening.

Holland was very agitated and told the call handler that when his friend came through the door he was going to slice him with a Stanley knife.

When police arrived they found the defendant intoxicated with a Stanley knife open beside him. He said it was to protect him and his property.

When interviewed he said he was drunk and could not remember anything about what happened.

A solicitor for Holland said the incident happened at the defendant’s address and he had provided it as a bail address for his friend.

He added that his client went back to the police station and accepted what he had been accused of.

District Judge, Mr George Conner, said that since Holland was in ongoing contact with probation he would leave something hanging over his head.