A 20-year-old man has been given a two month prison sentence for breaking into office of local MP MLA Mark Durkan.

By Melissa Towell

Melissa@derrynews.net 

George McGowan of River Court pleaded guilty to the offence.

The court heard on December 19 last year police were called to the property on Bishop Street after a reported burglary.

On arrival they observed that entry had been gained to the office and money not exceeding £5 had been stolen.

Police were able to obtain finger print evidence from the scene and subsequently arrested the defendant.

He stated to them that he had been in the building with a friend but was unable to give them a name of address for the person.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott urged the magistrate to give credit for McGowan’s early plea, despite his poor record.He added that the offences had been committed whilst other matters were pending and there had been little damage caused or money taken.

Furthermore, he continued that Mr Durkan’s work had not been disrupted by the incident and his client he realises he needs to grow up.He also indicated a change in McGowan’s attitude since his time in custody for other similar type offences.

 Resident magistrate Barney McElholm declared “I don’t know when this man is ever going to realise he cannot go on behaving like this.”

He added McGowan has been committing offences over the past number of years and has been ‘consistently’ before the courts.He gave the defendant a two month sentence consecutive the sentence he is already serving.

He concluded that every offence, particularly if there is a victim involved deserves to be treated separately.McGowan will appear again at Derry Magistrates Court on May 8 via video link on other matters.