Derry man jailed for hammer attack in 'misplaced rage'
Police recovered a sledgehammer and Class C drugs from the suspects address
A man has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court for damaging windows in a property due to his 'mislaid anger'.
Stephen Patrick O'Kane (37) of Fanad Drive in Derry admitted a series of offences that occurred on April 16 this year.
He admitted a charge of criminal damage to windows and doors, possessing an offensive weapon namely a hammer and two counts of possessing drugs on the same date.
The court heard the householder said she was wakened by loud bangs at 5.15am.
She looked out the window and saw a man exiting her drive.
Her son went out and saw paint on windows and the house and he shouted at the defendant who then produced a hammer and held it aloft.
The man with the hammer shouted something and the man recognised the defendant's voice.
Police went to the defendant's house and found a small sledge hammer and a quantity of class C drugs.
Defence counsel Sinead Rogan said her client gad gone to this address in the mistaken belief someone who he had an issue with was there.
She said that there had been a de-escalation in the defendant's offending in recent times.
The court heard that O'Kane had 47 previous convictions.
The defendant was jailed for four months and ordered to pay £500 in compensation.