A 25 year-old man who attacked his brother and his ex-girlfriend with a machete has been jailed for 18 months.

Stephen O'Kane, of Rinmore Drive, appeared at Derry Crown Court today where he was convicted in relation to the incident which occurred on August 16, 2012.

The court heard that on that date, police were called to O'Kane's mother house, after the defendant had woken up and 'went ballistic'.

O'Kane had been drinking heavily prior to the incident.

The court was told that O'Kane attacked his brother with a machete, and his brother had attempted to defend himself with a baseball bat.

O'Kane then struck his brother on the shoulder with the machete, inflicting a deep gash.

He also hit his ex-girlfriend with the weapon, striking her on the hand.

The court heard that she required surgery as a result, and has since lost some of the feeling in her hand.

Judge Philip Babington said that someone 'could easily have been killed' during the incident, describing the machete as 'truly horrific weapon'.

He added that a machete was not 'something you would find in a domestic kitchen', but it was more likely to be found in a 'commercial abattoir'.

O'Kane was sentenced to 18 months in custody, and will spend a further 18 months on licence upon his release from jail.

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