Brothers in court as horseplay turns sour

TWO local brothers appeared before the town’s Magistrates Court last Thursday facing a number of charges.
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In the first related case heard by District Deputy Judge Ms Brady, Cahal Bingham (19) from Chinauley Park pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour.

His brother Paul Bingham (23) from Miller Park Laurencetown also admitted disorderly behaviour and resisting police on 16 June.

A PPS prosecutor told the court how police were called to Iveagh Drive Banbridge at 12.50am after a report of a group of youths causing a disturbance.

Officers noted there was an altercation between the town Bingham brothers.

They were both shouting and screaming at each other and both had fresh injuries.

Paul Bingham began shouting obscenities towards police and despite being advised to calm down he was eventually restrained by officers.

Cahal Bingham then went to his brother’s aid shouting foul language towards police. Eventually he had to be placed in handcuffs such the was nature of his aggressive demeanour.

A solicitor for unemployed Cahal Bingham said there was an “uneasy relationship” between the brothers.

He said the incident started as horseplay but soured quickly.

Paul Bingham’s solicitor said he knew his behaviour on the night in question fell below the standard expected.

He said his client has served time in prison and does not want to go back.

District Judge Brady told Paul Bingham that he had a lengthy and relevant record. He was given a two month prison sentence which was suspended for 18 months.

Cahal Bingham was fined £150 with a £15 offender levy.

The next case involving Cahal Bingham occurred on 5 and 6 January 2013. He pleaded guilty to possession of Class B drug Mephedrone and going equipped for burglary.

A PPS prosecutor explained how on 5 January police observed Bingham carrying a large holdall at Church Square. He was watched going into Burnbrae and officers noted that the bag was emblazoned with the brand HEAD logo.

He was asked what he was in the bag and when opened there were two further empty holdall bags inside.

The next day police were called to a burglary at Burnbrae Meadows where entry had been gained via a back patio door.

A navy HEAD holdall was found at the scene and identified as the one being carried by Bingham earlier that night.

He was later arrested on suspicion of burglary.

Asked to explain his presence there that night, he said he was walking to meet a friend.

A search of the rear of the house revealed a quantity of drugs. He said “The drugs are mine.”

Bingham’s solicitor said he had fully co-operated with police and didn’t directly benefit from the burglary.

He said his record did not show anything previous of this nature.

Judge Brady said this was a serious matter and gave him a total of 200 Community Service.

The final case against Paul Bingham involved motoring charges, with his pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention, having a defective tyre, and using a car without tax.

These offences, heard the court, were committed on 4 July at Newry Street, Banbridge.

A PSNI patrol car watched Bingham’s Peugeot 306 being driven erattically and swerving from side to side for no apparent reason.

It accelerated away with black smoke coming from the exhaust and he was heard to be continually revving his engine.

When stopped the defective tyre and tax offences were discovered. The tax had expired in June.

When cautioned by police, he replied “F***ing do what you like.”

A solciitor said his client had been experiencing problems with his steering column requiring him to move it from side to side.

He said Paul Bingham accepts that his driving might have fallen below the required standard.

He was fined a total of £250 and awarded three penalty points.