A man who was “very drunk and wanted some food” was convicted of criminal damage after smashing the drive through window at KFC in Enniskillen.

Billy Joe White with an address of Skea Road, Arney was also convicted of another count of criminal damage after bringing a garden gnome to a house party and using a brick to break a window.

The court heard that White had a suspended sentence for other offences with District Judge Steven Keown commenting to White’s barrister: “He’s a suspended sentence and is smashing things up within eight or nine months of getting it.”

The court heard that on February 3, 2019 at 12:30am White broke the window of the drive through at KFC. White pleaded guilty to the offence which caused £120 worth of damage.

The court also heard that on April 8, 2019 he arrived at the property of a family member in Ballinamallard carrying a garden gnome. It was revealed that White was not allowed in to the property and then smashed a window with a rock.

Speaking on behalf of his client, barrister Ciaran Roddy conceded that White had a “distinctly unimpressive” record.

“His record is poor, he has 19 previous convictions. But the early part of that record pertains to a conflict with a family member which had now ceased. Those issues have subsided and he has a suspended sentence hanging over him,” Mr Roddy said before adding that White has an offer of employment at present.

Judge Keown said that his actions were tantamount to “throwing the suspended sentence back in the court’s face”.

“I find it hard not to invoke it if I am honest. The only reason my hand is being stayed is that to date you have not been subject to a probation order,” Judge Keown explained to the defendant.

The Judge sentenced White to a combination order which included 12 months probation and 100 hours of community service and told the defendant that he “had better co-operate fully with probation”.

“If you come back before me for a similar offence you will go to jail,” Judge Keown warned White.