Ex-boyfriend broke into former partner’s house

Adam Lee, of Enniskillen Road, Ballinamallard, pleaded guilty to entering the property at The Beeches, Ballinamallard and causing damage on April 1 this year.

He also pleaded guilty to a further charge of criminal damage to a flat-screen TV, sound bar, Sky box and other items belonging to his ex-partner.

The court heard that, at 10.10pm, police were tasked to a “domestic-related” incident at The Beeches.

The injured party’s house had been entered through the patio doors, with damage caused to one of the handles. Further damage was observed to a number of items inside the property, including the TV.

Officers also found a ripped £10 note in the house, the court heard.

The defendant, who was intoxicated, was located at a neighbouring property.

He had separated from the injured party prior to the incident and had handed over the keys to the house on March 29.

A neighbour had seen him inside his ex-partner’s house on the night in question.

The other part of the ripped £10 note was also found on the defendant, the court heard.

When he was questioned over his movements and whereabouts on April 1, Lee made no comment.

Defending counsel, Ciaran Roddy, told the court that it was “not a sophisticated enterprise”, adding that it had occurred during the breakdown of a relationship.

The barrister claimed that Lee had “invested a lot” in the relationship, having moved over from England to be with the injured party.

Mr. Roddy told the court that the defendant had “acted on impulse under the haze of alcohol” and, in the cold light of day, wished that he hadn’t acted as he did.

District judge, Michael Ranaghan, imposed fines totalling £200, a six-month jail term for the burglary and a concurrent four-month sentence for causing criminal damage. He then suspended both terms for two years. He also ordered the defendant to pay £250 compensation.