Teenager found 'swinging a hammer' in Derry's city centre

A teenager who was 'swinging a hammer about' in Derry was told by a Judge 'he better stay out of the city or the next time I see him, I'll send him to jail'.

Johnny Crumlish, 18, appeared before Derry Magistrates Court charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, namely a hammer, in Foyle Street on April 2, 2014.

The court heard that police had been tasked to the bus station in Foyle Street at 3pm where Crumlish had been causing a disturbance by 'swinging about' a hammer.

When police searched him he had the hammer in his pocket but denied having it in his possession when interviewed by police.

He later admitted it and said he had bought it to defend himself against someone he could not or would not name.

Paddy MacDermott, defence solicitor, said that Crumlish, from Trasna Way, Lisnaskea, Fermanagh, claimed someone had 'wielded a knife at him' and that he had then gone and bought a hammer and went to the bus depot 'swinging it'.

Crumlish said he wasn't aware of the identity of the person who threatened him and that he bought the hammer for 'self-defence'.

District Judge Barney McElholm said: "The thing I don't understand is this man's approach to the situation. Rather than contact the police he goes and buys a hammer and starts swinging it about when the area is full of children and older people.

"If someone threatened me with a knife I wouldn't go and buy a hammer, I'd phone the police."

District Judge McElholm said that the person who had reported the matter to police was 'extremely annoyed and upset by the incident' and noted that Crumlish was not from Derry.

He added: "If that's the way he is going to behave he better stay out of this city or the next time I see him, I'll send him to jail. This sort of behaviour is absolutely disgraceful."

Crumlish was fined £500 and told to pay an offenders' levy of £15. He was warned if he had not paid the fine within 26 weeks he would be sent to prison.