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Armagh man let down tyres on police car responding to call-out to city centre hostel

On another occasion officers arrived to find defendant bare-chested, standing outside in the street and shouting

Linen Court Hostel

An Armagh man who let down the tyres of a police vehicle has been jailed for a month.

The 28-year-old’s barrister told court: “These were very low level offences, characterised by his level of immaturity more than anything else.”

Connor Eamon Graham, of Callan Street, pleaded guilty to tampering with a motor vehicle and disorderly behaviour at the city’s Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he appeared via videolink from Maghaberry.

Prosecution explained that the defendant accrued these charges over two separate incidents.

It was outlined that on February 9, of last year, police had attended the Linen Court Hostel in Armagh, regarding an unrelated matter.

Whilst viewing CCTV footage they spotted a male acting suspiciously near a police vehicle. He was seen to kneel down, take the dust cap off the tyres and let them down.

When approached, the male, who was identified as Graham, intially denied the offence, saying he had been tying his shoes, but later made full admissions.

Then, on May 8, at 8pm, police were called once more to the Linen Court Hostel, following reports that the defendant had punched a window and kicked a side door.

Officers arrived to find Graham bare-chested, standing outside in the street and shouting. He was subsequently arrested.

Defence barrister Conor Coulter stated: “This was a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity. This is a man who has had alcohol and drug addiction issues in the past but is now trying to get some help in prison.

“These were very low level offences, characterised by his level of immaturity more than anything else.”

He continued: “Mr Graham is not someone who wishes to sit on his hands. He has sought help within prison. He hopes upon his release to find employment.”

Deputy District Judge Austin Kennedy commented that the defendant had a “very, very bad record for public order offences”.

Graham was sentenced to one month in prison for the offences.

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