Tagging device '˜popped off' while Maghera man was doing martial arts
A man who damaged his electronic tagging device when it popped off while he was doing martial arts, was given a Conditional Discharge for 12 months at Magherafelt Magistrates Court.
Patrick Joseph Johnston (20), of Main Street, Maghera, admitted causing criminal damage to the monitoring tag, valued £71.70, belonging to G4S on January 23.
A prosecuting lawyer said police had been contacted by Group 4 explaining the defendant had been missing for one and a half hours and was in breach of his bail.
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Hide AdHe said they called at his home address and it was discovered that the tag had come off his ankle.
A defence lawyer stressed that Johnston had contacted Group 4 about the matter and had spent four weeks in custody as a result of the breach.
Imposing the Conditional Discharge, District Judge Alan White also ordered defendant to pay £71.70 in respect of the damage to the tag.