Shop incident ends in community service

Court heard that police were called to a Spar in Coleraine on July 1, last year, where the personal attack alarm had been activated.

On arrival police noticed that cigarettes had been dislodged and damage had been caused inside the store.

The shop owner said that William Neill Campbell (34) of Maple Drive, had entered the shop shouting abuse. He left and then returned leaping over the counter shouting, “I f*cking warned you”.

During a police interview on July 6, Campbell admitted shouting at the shop owner and causing items in the shop to fall.

Campbell’s solicitor, Brendan McLarnon, told the court that his client had behavoural problems stemming from the breakdown of his family unit.

Mr McLarnon said that for a period of 12 years Campbell had an ‘uneviable record’ until 2001 when he formed a relationship with a woman, who worked in the shop.

He claimed that Campbell’s behaviour on the day in question had resulted from a break up from his partner with whom he is now reconciled.

District Judge Richard Wilson ordered Campbell to carry out 240 hours community service and warned him that if he didn’t complete the order that he would end up in jail.