Derry Court: Dispute between neighbours led to perpetrator being convicted of drink driving

A dispute between neighbours, which saw a man throwing 'pebbles and stones' at his neighbour's window, resulted in the perpetrator being convicted of drink driving Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.

Damien Martin Payne (59) of Bramhall Crescent in Derry admitted a series of charges including criminal damage and driving with excess alcohol on August 15 last year.

The court heard that police were called to a report of damage to a window and the reporting person said the defendant had thrown the stones at his window with little damage. 

Police called to talk to Payne but he wasn't in. 

Later the neighbour reported that Payne had driven up and police went to the address and a car was outside. 

When police were speaking to Payne they noticed his speech was slurred and his eyes were glazed and he was asked how he had got home and he didn't answer. 

He was asked for a sample of breath but refused and said he hadn't been driving but said his son or wife might have been. 

Defence counsel Michael Donaghey said that there was 'bad blood' between the neighbours.

District Judge Barney McElholm said it was Payne's seventh no insurance charge.

He fined Payne a total of £900 and disqualified him for 18 months.