A Newry teenager who was found in possession of a wrench, which he told police was for “protection”, has been ordered to pay a fine of £150.
The 18-year-old’s solicitor told court: “He suffers from ADHD, depression and anxiety…I asked him for an explanation but he could not give one. He told police it was protection but from whom we do not know.”
Tom Ward, of Main Avenue, pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place at the city’s Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Prosecution outlined that on June 13, at 4.30am, police received a report from the defendant’s mother that her son had left their home with a wrench.
Officers located Ward on Nursery Drive, Newry, and during a search a wrench, which was attached around his neck with black rope, was located concealed under his clothing.
The defendant told police that he had been carrying it for “protection” and during interview made no reply to questions put.
Defence solicitor Peter Hearty stated: “This is an 18-year-old who lives at home with his parents. The report to police came from his mother. This was a strange incident without any plausible explanation.
“He suffers from ADHD, depression and anxiety…I asked him for an explanation but he could not give one. He told police it was protection but from whom we do not know.”
District Judge Eamonn King commented that there must have been some concern for his mother to contact police.
Ward was ordered to pay a fine of £150, along with the offender’s levy of £15, and a destruction order was made for the wrench.
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