A banned driver who took his mother’s car without permission and crashed it into walls outside a gospel hall has avoided being sent to jail.
Christopher Porter was given a 12-month probation order for the incident in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim where he got behind the wheel while under the influence.
The 32-year-old, of Knockboy Road in Broughshane, was also disqualified from driving for four years.
Belfast Magistrates Court heard police were alerted on January 4 this year after a Peugeot 5008 collided with a boundary wall at Glengormley Gospel Hall on Ballyearl Drive, causing extensive damage.
When officers arrived at the scene the car’s airbags had deployed but no driver was present.
Checks established that the vehicle belonged to Porter’s mother.
The defendant was located nearby and initially attempted to flee, according to the prosecution.
Crown counsel Stephanie Boyd said: “He was clearly intoxicated, unsteady on his feet and initially wouldn’t identify himself.
“He became highly aggressive and attempted to prevent handcuffs being applied while shouting, swearing and threatening violence towards police.”
Porter later accepted taking the car without consent, telling police that he had been having a “mental episode”.
“He stated that he had no recollection of the crash, he admitted drinking and driving, that he was disqualified and had no insurance,” Mrs Boyd added.
A defence lawyer told the court Porter accepted full responsibility for offences he has little memory of committing.
“This occurred during a period of extremely poor mental health,” she said.
Porter pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking causing damage, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, driving while disqualified, failing to provide a specimen of breath, resisting police, and disorderly behaviour.
Based on his admissions, District Judge Steven Keown decided not to impose a prison sentence.
But Mr Keown warned him: “If something like this happens again or you don’t do the probation order there will be a very high likelihood of custody.
“There will be a total of four years disqualification and a 12 month probation order as a direct alternative to custody.”