Derry man to be sentenced in September after pleading guilty to possessing imitation handgun

A man from the Belmont area of Derry is to be sentenced in early September after he pleaded guilty at the local Crown Court today to possessing an imitation handgun with intent to cause a person to believe that violence was to be used against them.

Paul Gerard Gallagher (60) from Summerhill Grove in Derry admitted committing the offence on September 1 of last year.

During his arraignment before Judge Philip Gilpin the defendant also pleaded guilty to failing to provide a blood specimen after he was stopped by the police while driving a car along the Buncrana Road on the same date.

A defence barrister told Judge Gilpin that while Gallagher had a criminal record, there was nothing relevant on it.

Judge Gilpin ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report for August 13 and said Gallagher would be sentenced on September 3. He released Gallagher on continuing bail until that date.