A 59-year-old man has been sentenced to nine months in prison for burglary and common assault at a shop in Lurgan.

Damien Joseph Young appeared via video link from Maghaberry Prison at Craigavon Magistrates Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charges. The court heard that on February 20 at around 6.10pm, he entered Little Rose Studios in Lurgan and began shouting demands for money and food.

A prosecutor said the female worker attempted to close the door but Young pushed past her aggressively and tried to force the door further open to reach her workspace. He then entered every room, opened kitchen cupboards, and took porridge from the fridge, which was found half-eaten by police.

Officers also discovered a bottle of alcohol the woman believed he had left behind. Young was arrested a short time later on William Street in Lurgan.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan was told Young has 459 previous convictions, which he described as unprecedented in his court experience. A defence barrister said Young had not forced entry and was looking for something to eat, also claiming he was searching for a bathroom. He accepted guilt for burglary.

The barrister outlined Young’s long-standing alcohol addiction since age 15, his lack of memory of the incident, and his sobriety while in custody. He said Young apologised and understood he put the woman in fear, though no physical harm was caused.

Judge Ranaghan questioned why cases involving such a record remained in the magistrates’ courts and suggested future matters should be heard in the crown court. Young was sentenced to nine months for burglary and six months concurrent for common assault, plus a £25 offender levy.