Took sledgehammer in row and hit fence of his aunt's house

Emmet Stephen Patterson (18), Drumbeg, Craigavon, admitted possession of an offensive weapon in a public place on June 10 this year. He was fined £350.

The court heard that police received a report from a woman in Drumbeg. There had been a family argument between herself, her husband and her nephew, the defendant, who was intoxicated.

When Patterson tried to start a row with her husband they went inside. The defendant than appeared with a sledgehammer and hit their fence which was not damaged.

A solicitor representing Patterson said there had been a family dispute. He explained that the defendant lived just across the road and was shouting for his uncle to come outside. It was not a case where Patterson was running about with a sledgehammer, added the solicitor.