A Ballykelly man has been sentenced to six months in prison after he went to a man’s home to ‘collect a drug debt’ armed with two knives.

George Canning of Tamlough Park appeared before Limavady Magistrates Court this morning charged with two counts of possession of an offensive weapon and disorderly behaviour.

The court heard that police were called to Tamlough Park in the north Derry village on August 30 after they received a report that a drunken man was outside a house in the estate shouting and brandishing a knife.

When officers arrived at the scene, they spotted a heavily intoxicated Canning in the area.

The 33 year-old was subsequently searched and a Stanley knife was retrieved from his pocket.

Following a search of the area, officers also uncovered a large silver handled knife in the garden of a nearby property.

During interview, Canning admitted being at an address in the area and put his behaviour down to having a ‘schizo fit’.  

The court heard that Canning claimed that he had gone to the address to ‘collect a drug debt’ from a man.

During interview, he also admitted that the kitchen knife had come from his home but stated that the Stanley knife had been in his pocket from the previous day when he had been using it to do chores.

Canning’s barrister, Nicola Roundtree, said her client had ‘absolutely no recollection’ of this incident.

Ms Roundtree said Canning had stopped taking antipsychotic medication two weeks prior to this incident as he felt he had been making progress.

She stated that on the night in question, Canning and his partner had been drinking heavily.

As a result, Canning ended up being arrested while his partner was taken to hospital after she took an overdose, Ms Roundtree said.

“He believes on this night in question, he had a manic episode.  Something which he has never had before,” said the barrister, adding that Canning was now in ‘a much more stable position’.

Addressing District Judge Liam McNally, Ms Roundtree added: “He has made positive steps to get his mental health difficulties under control.  I would ask you to let him prove himself to you and the court that he is addressing these issues.”

During sentencing, Judge McNally said when two people fall out over drugs and one goes around to the other person’s house with knives, it’s a ‘recipe for disaster’.

Sentencing Canning to six months in custody, Judge McNally said that the court needed to send out a message that people who fall out over money, cannot get that debt settled by using knives.

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