Ryan Shortt, 23, of Carrickvale Manor, Lurgan, was sentenced to three months in prison for each of two offences after pleading guilty to criminal damage and common assault involving his mother.

A court heard that on 6 May last year, while his mother was driving on William Street in Lurgan, a verbal altercation about Shortt's drinking led to him becoming aggressive. He punched the dashboard and smashed the rear-view mirror, leaving it hanging off. The behaviour put his mother in fear. Shortt also took her phone from the door pocket before leaving the car; the phone was later returned, and the parties have since reconciled.

Shortt appeared at Craigavon Magistrates Court via video link from Maghaberry Prison. He had admitted the offences at interview. His barrister told the court that Shortt had recently been released from custody before the incident. District Judge Michael Ranaghan noted that an assault on one's mother is a particularly serious matter. In addition to the custodial sentences, a £25 offender levy was imposed.