Suspended sentence for Derry man charged with criminal damage to houses

A man has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrate's Court today after he admitted two charges of criminal damage to windows in houses.

Dean Gallagher (23) of Spencer Road in Derry admitted the charges which occurred on April 7 this year.

The court heard that police were called to a report of a male smashing windows in a house in Quarry Street.

When police arrived they saw the broken windows but there was nobody matching the description given.

They were told that the householder heard 'a lid bang' and saw the kitchen windows smashed.

A short time later there was another report of another window being smashed and Gallagher was recognised.

He was seen to have a large stone in his hand.

When arrested he made full admissions and said he was 'out of control' due to drink and drugs.

A defence barrister said his client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had 'issues with drink and drugs'.

He said the defendant was now seeking help for his problems.

The barrister said that this was 'a very unfortunate incident' in a difficult family context.

Gallagher was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for two years and given an 18 month probation order.

He was also ordered to pay the Housing Executive the sum of £500 in compensation.