Derry man with 352 previous convictions jailed for damaging a shop door just a week after he was released from prison

A Derry man with 352 criminal convictions has been jailed for damaging a shop a week after being released from prison.

Damian Joseph Young, 52, of no fixed abode, appeared at Derry Magistrates, sitting in Omagh, charged with criminal damage to a door on August 20.

The court was told that a shop owner in Omagh had contacted police to say a man fitting Young's description had kicked a door causing multiple cracks and damage valued at £250.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said the defendant was chronic alcoholic, before adding that ‘the chances of doing anything about that are long since gone’.

He said Young had been released from prison a week ago and from the court on Monday, where he had faced another charge of criminal damage.

The solicitor said Young had not even made it back to Derry before re-offending.

He added that Young had an address in Lurgan, but seemed to prefer to be on the streets of Derry.

Commenting, District Judge Barney McElholm said: “If this man goes out and about he goes and does things like this.

“Quite frankly I am not letting him loose in Omagh to do more damage to the place.”

He sentenced Young to three months in prison, but added that this was not a 'long term solution.'