A FATHER caused over £500 destruction to a car out of a perceived “sense of injustice” after his mother was allegedly attacked and no police action was taken.
Christopher Masterson (26) of Breandrum Park, Enniskillen appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday for sentencing on a charge of criminal damage.
At approximately 12.20am on Sunday, June 12, police received a report of criminal damage on a car on Corban Avenue, and the person reporting the incident stated Masterson was the person responsible.
When police arrived the found the car, a Peugeot 206, had multiple signs of damage, including a broken windscreen, two dents to the roof, a wing mirror that had been knocked loose. The total cost of damage to the car was £523, which included the cost of two doors having to be replaced, £75 insurance excess, and £40 recovery charges.
When Masterson was arrested he denied causing the damage in the car and gave police the names of two people he was with that evening, however they could only account for his whereabouts until approximately 10pm.
Defence barrister Ciaran Roddy, who pointed Masterson was in breach of a suspended sentence, explained Masterson had been acting out of a feeling “of a sense of injustice”, stating the injured party had attacked his mother. Mr Roddy said the alleged attack had been reported to police but no further action had been taken.
Mr Roddy said Masterson, who is in receipt of £150 in benefits each fortnight, wanted to make full restitution for the damage he had caused, and had brought £100 to court with him to begin paying compensation.
Mr Roddy told the court the father-of-one was getting help for his issues with drink and drugs from agencies and charities such as the Aisling Centre, and had not drank since the offence.
Judge Broderick said there was “every reason” he should send Masterson to prison, pointing to his poor criminal record and the “wanton vandalism and damage” he had caused to the car. He said the only reason he was not jailing him was because the car owner was out of pocket and Masterson could not make restitution from prison.
Judge Broderick adjourned the case for nine weeks, until December 19, to allow him a chance to continue to engage with support agencies. He also ordered him to begin paying back the £523 to the car owner.
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