A Lurgan man who damaged a Ring doorbell at his ex-partner’s house has been fined £200.
Stuart Paul Wilson (37), of Toberhewny Hall, was also ordered to pay £81 in compensation to fix the device.
He appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with one count of criminal damage, to which he pleaded guilty.
The court heard that on July 13 this year, at approximately 3.30am, police responded to a report of a possible domestic incident in Lurgan.
Police attended and spoke with the injured party, who said her ex-partner attended her address and was abusive through the speaker of her Ring doorbell.
This behaviour continued until the defendant hit the doorbell with the bottom of his closed fist, causing damage to the camera lens.
The court heard the injured party was deemed to be at high risk of domestic abuse, and the Ring doorbell was given to her by Women’s Aid following previous issues.
The defendant was interviewed and admitted to being at the injured party’s home. He said he was only there to enquire where his children were, but admitted to causing the damage.
A defence solicitor explained that the defendant and his ex-partner have an “on and off” relationship and he had been with her earlier in the day, before leaving.
He then made contact with her to ask where his children were.
The defence added that the injured party was not home at the time of the incident, and a neighbour had contacted the police.
He said the defendant and his ex-partner wished to “put it behind them” and no statement of complaint from the victim had been made.
District Judge Ranaghan said these remarks put the case in an “entirely different context”.
He ordered that £81 in compensation be made, alongside a £200 fine, giving the defendant 10 weeks to pay.
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