A Killeavy man who assaulted his father and made a threat to kill his sister has been sentenced to four months in prison.
The 24-year-old was also disorderly at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry and kicked out striking the same police officer twice.
Patrick Braniff, of Carrickbroad Road, pleaded guilty to two bills of indictment at Craigavon Magistrates’, sitting at Lisburn, on Friday, via videolink from Maghaberry.
On the first, the defendant was charged with common assault, three counts of criminal damage, two counts of assault on police resisting police and disorderly behaviour.
Braniff was charged on the second with possession of Class C drugs, criminal damage, threats to kill and disorderly behaviour.
Prosecution stated that a restraining order was being sought in the usual terms in relation to the defendant’s sister and father, who had been victims in the offences.
It was outlined that on March 3, at 9.15pm, police received a report from Braniff’s father, who claimed he had been assaulted by his son at his home.
He stated he had returned from visiting his wife in hospital to find the defendant in an intoxicated state.
Braniff then pushed his father, grabbed him by the arms and then placed his hands on his neck pushing him around the house.
The defendant’s father also told police that his son had also damaged an internal door handle and a clock at the property.
Whilst being placed in the police vehicle, Braniff kicked out hitting one officer in the chest; he then proceeded to jump out of the vehicle and had to be taken to the ground.
When being placed once more in the vehicle, the defendant kicked out again hitting the same officer on the head.
Braniff was then taken to Lurgan police station but not before vomiting in the rear of the vehicle whilst en route.
Then on May 31, at 6.20pm, police received a report from the defendant’s sister.
Braniff had been using her home as a bail address; she told police that her brother was under the influence of drugs and that she was in fear.
Officers arrived and during a search of the defendant’s bedroom they located 50 suspected diazepam tablets.
The injured party told police that Braniff had damaged a wardrobe in her home and had threatened to kill her if she called the police.
The defendant was subsequently taken to Daisy Hill Hospital and whilst there he was loud and staged a sit down in front of the nurse’s quarters.
Braniff had to be arrested by police but resisted, which resulted in him being placed in restraints.
During interview, he had admitted to possession of the drugs but denied all other offences.
Prosecution informed court that the cost to repair the wardrobe was £60, but there were no valuations for other criminal damage charges.
Defence barrister Bobbie Rea stated: “Aside from credit from his guilty plea, both matters involve the same underlying issues and involve family members so I would ask that they are dealt with globally.
“This is a young man who has issues and is an extremely different person when he presents outside the influence of drugs, he appreciates there will be no change until he breaks the cycle”.
He continued: “He has now managed to ostracise his own family, this is a young man who risks more of a danger to himself than to others.”
Prosecution could not confirm whether Braniff’s father and sister had requested the restraining orders.
District Judge Amanda Brady commented: “My concern is that if and when he gets out, where does he go without family members, does he end up homeless?
“I think what he really needs is probation and some sort of support but he comes with a period of time in custody already served”.
Braniff was sentenced to four months in prison for the offences before the court.
