Probation for Derry man (33) who wielded hammer putting his sister in fear

Derry Magistrates Court heard today how a man appeared outside his sister's house wielding a hammer putting her in fear. 

Nathan Anderson (33) of Spencer Road in Derry admitted possessing the hammer and assault on August 12 last year.

Police were initially called by Anderson's sister to say that he was at her house, shouting abuse and carrying a hammer.

She told them he had pulled the hammer from his waistband and had stayed outside the premises for 30 minutes. 

The court then heard that on September 6 Anderson made a call to the police 101 line in which he admitted that he had 'no problem' hitting his father over the head with the hammer and that he'd 'do a life sentence' for it.

Defence Barrister Eoghan Devlin said that this was 'clearly a very serious matter' and told the court that Anderson had received a police caution that July. 

He added that Anderson had mental health issues but that he had no new criminal matters since the incident occurred.

He received a sentence of twelve months probation, 100 hours community service and a restraining order against his sister, her partner and her children.