Belfast man who threatened to hit pal with hammer jailed

Defendant caught with steak knives in pocket

A Belfast man who threatened to hit a friend on the head with a hammer was today (Tuesday) jailed for six months.

Judge Gordon Kerr KC told Jonathon Raymond Maguire he will spend a further six months on supervised licence following his release from custody.

Maguire, 49, of no fixed abode, previously pleaded guilty to charges of common assault and criminal damage. He further admitted possessing two serrated knives in a public place.

Belfast Crown Court heard that at around 8.15am on May 20, 2022, the injured party was woken at his home on Templemore Avenue in east Belfast by a person banging on the front door.

Prosecution counsel David McNeill said: “He opened the door and saw this defendant who he was friendly with from going in and out of hostels. The defendant threatened to put a hammer into the back of his head and then walked away from the property.”

The court heard the defendant returned to the flat sometime between 11am and 1pm and smashed the front window with a brick. Mr McNeill said swabs of blood were taken from the broken window and were matched with the defendant’s DNA profile.

Later the same day around 1.30 pm, two PSNI constables stopped the defendant on the Albertbridge Road as he matched the description of the person seen smashing the window.

“He volunteered that he had two knives in his right trouser pocket. When searched police recovered two black-handled steak knives,” said Mr McNeill.

“He was interviewed and told police the knives had come from the victim’s home but denied smashing the window or making a threat to put a hammer into his head.”

The court heard Maguire has 39 previous convictions which included five entries for serious assaults, four of criminal damage, common assault and possession of an offensive weapon with intent.

A pre-sentence report compiled by the Probation Board said Maguire was a father of five adult children and had a long history of alcohol and drug abuse. He said had known the victim for between ten to 15 years while living in hostel accommodation.

The author noted that the defendant had expressed remorse and regret for his behaviour. Maguire was assessed as a high likelihood of reoffending but did not pose a danger to the public in the future.

Defence barrister Sean Doherty submitted that Maguire’s criminal record was mainly dealt with in the magistrates’ courts. He added that if it was not for his record the index offences would most likely also have been dealt with in the lower court.

“The assault was a threat to be hit by a hammer but no actual assault took place. The knives he had were not brandished in public,” said Mr Doherty.

Judge Kerr ordered the destruction of the knives and imposed a five year restraining order, telling Maguire he is not to have any direct or indirect contact with the victim.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.