Lit a newspaper under parked car

Daniel McConville (20), whose address was given as Dingwell Park, Lurgan, appeared in court by way of videolink from Hydebank young offenders’ centre.

He admitted unlawfully damaging by fire a car on May 15 this year and was sentenced to four months in custody.

For criminal damage to a TV aerial on August 20 this year he was given one month in custody and another one month term was imposed for criminal damage to a front door.

All the sentences are to run concurrently making a total of four months in custody.

The court heard on May 15 at 5.55am a member of the public saw two males near a parked car.

They lit a newspaper and set it beside one of the tyres of the car.

The witness called 999 and the two males, one of whom was the defendant, were arrested.

There was damage to plastic underneath the vehicle.

On August 20 at 8pm police went to a disturbance at Monbrief Walk in Lurgan.

McConville’s brother claimed he had pulled a TV aerial cord off a wall and kicked the front door of the house, damaging a glass pane.

A barrister representing the defendant said he was living a nomadic lifestyle during this period of time.

District Judge Peter King said that any person who puts a light under a vehicle is potentially going to leave a burned out car and inevitably a period of custody was going to follow.