A CAR belonging to a former Miss Northern Ireland contestant was targeted during a Christmas Eve incident in which the rear car window was smashed, a court has heard.
Unemployed painter and decorator Christopher Martin Masterson broke the car window belonging to Ballinamallard student Julie-Ann Elliott who was runner-up in a Miss Northern Ireland competition.
Masterson, of Breandrum, Enniskillen, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage when he appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates Court.
The 24-year-old had initially denied the charged but changed his plea to guilty on the day of the contest.
A prosecutor explained to the court that on December 24 last year, police were tasked to Enniskillen town centre following a report of criminal damage to a Seat Ibiza which was parked in Darling Street.
Officers spoke to a number of witnesses who identified the defendant as causing damage to the car.
A short time later officers spotted Masterson further along the street and arrested him for criminal damage and he was taken to Omagh police station.
During police interview he admitted breaking the car’s rear window claiming it was an accident.
The estimated cost of the damage was £113.
The court heard that as a result of Masterson denying the charge, Miss Elliott was forced to fly from Scotland where she attends university to attend the trial.
However, defence barrister Brian O’Sullivan claimed that his client was not aware she had to travel from Scotland.
Mr O’Sullivan told the court that his client was holding the glass minutes before the incident happened and that he did not pick up the item off the street with the intention of breaking the window.
He explained: “The defendant and his friend were asked to leave the bar and the pair left together.
“There was an incident with staff and it was during that remonstration with staff that the glass leaves his hand.
Mr O’Sullivan continued: “He was asked to leave and he co-operated with staff but then there was a further remonstration during which the glass left his hand and broke the back window. During police interview he denied it was done maliciously.
“It was not reckless, it was accidental. He has had quite a difficult upbringing and has been the victim of criminal activity. It’s open to the court to give him one final chance.”
District Judge Nigel Broderick told the defendant he has “every reason” to send him to jail because of his “poor record”.
Judge Broderick continued: “What struck me is that you have a number of difficulties and sending you to prison will not address these issues.
“On the face of it you haven’t had the benefit of probation service and you can now engage in any programme given by them.
“If you breach that order it you will be back to court and I will send you to prison.”
Masterson was handed a probation order with the additional condition that he is to engage in any given programme as well as paying a compensation order of £286.48 the cover the cost of the damaged window and flights from Scotland.
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