Belfast man receives suspended sentence for theft and damaging a car

A man has appeared at Derry Magistrates Court charged with theft and damage to a car.

Adam Watt (23) of Dundela Avenue in Belfast appeared charged with the offences that took place in Derry on April 7, 2022.

Watt had previously failed to appear in court on a number of occasions and had warrants out against him.

The day of the offences, police had received reports of a man attempting to get into multiple cars in Victoria Car Park in Derry.

He was observed by CCTV operators and was then seen in Shipquay Street where police found a car with its alarm sounding. 

Watt was found to have smashed a window with a brick and taken items from the car. Police later found him in Queen's Quay with the stolen items in question.

Defence Barrister Fergal McCormick said that Watt 'doesn't endear himself to the court' with his previous failures to appear, adding that his crimes were 'simple yet no less harmful' for the victims.

District Judge Barney McElhom sentenced him to 12 months in custody, suspended for three years, and ordered him to pay a £450 compensation order to the victims.