Truncheon was used as a ‘toy’ by autistic boy, Magherafelt Court told

A man who had a truncheon wrapped in clothing inside his vehicle, was fined £100 at Magherafelt Magistrates Court for possessing an offensive weapon.

By The Newsroom

Published 12th Dec 2014, 15:33 BST

Don Meredith Kirkpatrick (45), of Riverview Cottage, Kildare, was fined a further £75 for using a mobile phone while driving.

A PPS lawyer said police on mobile patrol spotted defendant holding the phone as he was driving at Oldtown Road, Castledawson, on the afternoon of October 31.

She said police stopped the vehicle and spoke to Kirkpatrick before carrying out a search and discovering a wooden truncheon wrapped in clothes within easy access of the driver.

Defence barrister Liam McStay explained the truncheon was a holiday gift and had the word Ibiza in large letters down the side of it.

Mr McStay said it was used by his 5 year old autistic son as a toy and defendant accepted that it should not have been in the vehicle.

District Judge Alan White made a destruction order in respect of the truncheon.

Kildare