Smashed gate during '˜episode'

He was Gary Joseph John Haughian (29), North Street, Lurgan, and he was sentenced to a total of eight months in prison last Friday at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

Haughian admitted criminal damage to a gate on May 4 this year, criminal damage to a door, assaulting a man, attempted criminal damage to a back door and attempted criminal damage to a window. For each of these offences he was sentenced to three months in prison.

He also admitted making a threat to kill a man and for this received a four month sentence. All these terms are to run concurrent with each other.

Suspended sentences totalling four months were activated and these are to run concurrently making a total of eight months in custody.

Mr Conor Downey, defending, said Haughian had been in custody since May 5 and wanted the matters dealt with.

The court heard that at 7.40pm Haughian tried to force his way into a house at Meadowbrook and was shouting incoherently at the injured party.

He tried to force his way through the front door and broke the lock.

After smashing a garden gate into pieces he punched a window and attempted to break down the back door while issuing a tirade of threats.

Haughian was arrested and claimed he could not remember anything because of a black out. Mr Downey explained that the injured party was the partner of Haughian’s former partner.

He added that the defendant was in police custody for some time before he could be interviewed. Haughian was extremely drunk and foolishly called at his ex-partner’s house, said Mr Downey.

He explained the defendant had no difficulties with the injured party and did not harbour any grudge against him.