Two men were today (Friday) sentenced over a hijacking incident during which they shouted ‘Up The UFF’.
Rhys Morris, 31, of Park Avenue in East Belfast, previously pleaded guilty to hijacking and two counts of criminal damage.
He further admitted driving whilst unfit, having no licence or insurance and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
Judge Mark Reel imposed a combination order of 100 hours unpaid work along with two years on probation, fined him £600 for the driving offences and disqualified the defendant from driving for 12 months.
Callum Joseph Maddison, 28, of Dufferin Avenue in Bangor, Co Down, received a three year prison sentence suspended for two years for hijacking, two counts of common assault and one of criminal damage.
Belfast Crown Court heard that around midnight on August 17, 2017, a woman was parking her Renault Clio car at Cedar Avenue in North Belfast.
Prosecution barrister Philip Henry said: “Maddison opened the passenger door while Morris went to the driver’s door. He raised a bottle in his right hand and threatened the female stating: ‘Get the f*** out of my car or I will smack you’.
“The defendants drove off in her car before crashing into another parked car causing £1,300 worth of damage. With great fortitude, the victim reached into the car and removed the keys and took the bottle from Morris.”
The court heard Maddison got out of the car and raised a bottle to threaten her. As they ran off, a local resident heard them shouting ‘Up the UFF’.
The lawyer added: “Maddison, in an entirely gratuitous act of violence, punched a passing member of the public in the neck. Another woman heard them shouting ‘Up the UFF’ and she told them there was children sleeping and it was past midnight. Maddison then struck her.”
The prosecution barrister said she followed them into Hopefield Avenue where they damaged a parked lorry. Intoxicated Morris was arrested by police at 12.30 am and was bleeding from cuts. The labourer told police he had been struck to the head earlier by a taxi driver with a hurley stick.
Mr Henry said hospital blood tests showed he had taken cocaine, cannabis and prescription drugs. At police interview, both denied involvement in the hijacking, claiming they were in a bar before going back to a female’s flat to continue drinking.
Judge Reel said Morris told a probation officer that he was “ashamed for his wholly out of character behaviour” had expressed remorse to his victims.
He added that the defendant had made strenuous efforts to turn his life around since the incident and for that reason he would not interfere with his liberty by imposing a combination order.
The judge said that since the incident, Maddison had sustained a significant brain injury, suffers from schizophrenia and needs ongoing family support for day-to-day living.
Imposing a suspended prison sentence, Judge Reel said the defendant was assessed as not suitable for community service given his brain injury.
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