“I have enough to be dealing with than to be dealing with this crap” was the cry from the dock in Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday as an Enniskillen man was about to be convicted of a series of public order offences.

It resulted in a spell in the courthouse cells before Darren McGill (30) of Ann Street, Enniskillen was brought back up to hear his sentencing.

McGill was facing eight charges of criminal damage and one charge of resisting police and common assault in relation to incidents on June 9, 2019 and January 7, 2020.

The court heard on June 9, 2019 there was a report of damage to vehicles in Enniskillen including scrapes to the door handles and up the sides of the cars. CCTV footage showed a male scraping the vehicles in the street. The male was identified as McGill and he was located and interviewed.

When he was asked if he damaged the cars he replied that he did not know, that he did not remember, and he could have.

On January 7, 2020 at 7.25pm there were reports of the defendant at a block of flats on the Cornagrade Road. Police on patrol were approached by a member of the public who asked if they were looking for another male and said he was in the flats.

Officers knocked a door and asked a female occupant if McGill was present. She said yes and they saw McGill in the hallway.

McGill became aggressive and was put to the ground and handcuffed. Earlier that evening a witness to the criminal damage saw the defendant scraping a silver car outside a house.

When he approached him McGill began shouting and choking him with a scarf before the fell to the ground. The injured party recognised the defendant.

When later interviewed McGill gave no comment

Ciaran Roddy, representing McGill said this was a case of “wanton violence” on vehicles of unsuspecting members of the public and had caused annoyance and upset.

He said he had instructions from McGill that he would be willing to pay some sort of compensation and that he was taking responsibility for his actions. Mr. Roddy said his client had little or no memory of the incidents and that made it hard for him to rationalise his behaviour.

District Judge Steven Keown said it was hard to take a view of remorse as the pre sentence report did not see it that way and that McGill had “zero interest” in getting help. He also had a clear disregard and animosity for probation “who have enough on their plate” helping those who want it without adding somebody who doesn’t want to be helped.

As Judge Keown continued to speak, McGill made his outburst which led the judge to order him be removed to the cells.

After other business was concluded McGill was brought back again and Judge Keown continued saying McGill had disregard and animosity for probation and there was a “lack of insight” on his behalf as he felt he was treated harshly by police and viewed himself as the the victim rather than the car owners.

Handing down an eight month prison sentence, suspended for three years, and ordering him to pay £800 in compensation, Judge Keown added that he was not saying McGill had a difficult life but there are others in his position and they do not go around damaging property.