Two brothers who forced a young mother to leave her Lurgan home following a tirade of sectarian abuse, which was caught on camera, are “highly likely” to be sent to prison, a judge has warned.
Adrian Douglas (34) and 37-year-old Alister Douglas were due to learn their fates at Craigavon Crown Court earlier on Friday, however, their defence teams asked for sentencing to be put back.
Barristers Patrick Taggart and Conor Coulter told His Honour Judge Patrick Lynch KC that they would be seeking psychiatric reports and evidence from social services regarding the effect on their immediate families should the pair be sent to prison.
In January Adrian Douglas admitted intimidation while Alister Douglas admitted aiding and abetting his brother in the intimidation on April 30 last year. A charge of criminal damage was left on the books.
During Friday’s proceeding, prosecuting counsel, Nicola Auret, lamented the delay in sentencing, stating that “there’s been a significant interval since the plea already and one wonders why this material hasn’t been gathered before”.
Accepting the delay, Judge Lynch told the pair’s defence teams: “I would advise you that your clients better make appropriate arrangements…it is highly likely your clients will be going to prison, so arrangements need to be made then accordingly.”
The case was adjourned until March 21 for mention where a new date for sentencing will be set.
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