Man with 433 previous convictions jailed for eight months
Damian Joseph Young (57) of no fixed abode admitted a charge of attempted criminal damage to a door
A man with 433 previous convictions has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today after the court was told that he was in no position to pay the £2,000 compensation.
Damian Joseph Young (57) of no fixed abode admitted a charge of attempted criminal damage to a door on May 2 and damage to the same door on May 13.
The court heard that on May 2 police were told that Young had approached Foyle Haven in John Street and was refused entry.
As a result he kicked at the door but did not cause any damage.
The court heard that on May 13 Young again approached Foyle Haven and again was refused entry due to his level of intoxication.
He kicked the door again and on this occasion he bent the door causing £2,000 in damage.
When he was arrested he admitted the charges.
Defence counsel Grainne McAnaney said her client was no stranger to the court.
She said he had become irate at not being allowed in to Foyle Haven.
The barrister said that his addiction to alcohol was at the root of Young's offending.
She said the defendant had indicated a desire to pay for the damage but the actual figure was too high for him to do that.
District Judge Barney McElholm said that Young never stayed out of jail for long and added that he did nothing to tackle his alcohol addiction.
He sentenced Young to eight months in prison.