A street fiend with a grand total of just over 400 criminal convictions has been jailed once more for threatening to burn his mother's neighbour.
Michael McNally was handed a three-month prison sentence for threatening to burn the poor neighbour and admitting to verbally assaulting her and committing damage to her property.
The Magistrates Court heard on July 15 how McNally discovered his mum was not at home and asked her neighbour to try make contact with her for him.
When she reportedly declined this request, he threatened to burn out the woman and her vehicle, before tugging at her fencing surrounding the property.
Prosecutors confirmed that the estimated cost of the damage is £30 to repair, reports Belfast Live.
McNally, with a former address at Clifton Park Avenue in Belfast, admitted charges of criminal damage and threats to damage property.
Defence lawyer Garrett Greene said: "He has long-standing mental health issues and is effectively now a street urchin."
McNally's struggles with homelessness had resulted in him returning to his mother's house to seek solace, according to the solicitor.
But when she was not at home he reacted inappropriately towards the neighbour and apologised for his actions, the court heard.
Mr Greene added: "The threats were simply the way he expresses himself."
McNally has already amassed more than 380 convictions, including more than 180 thefts, on his criminal record.
In separate incidents earlier this year he was jailed after trying to steal a tips jar and punching a Covid screen at a Belfast coffee shop, and again for subjecting paramedics trying to help him to a tirade of abuse.
Sending him back to prison today for the latest offences, Deputy District Judge Liam McStay described his record as "terrible".
He told McNally: "Lifestyle problems that are beyond your control are causing you difficulties in how you conduct your everyday life.
"But you don't have the right to take your frustrations out on others."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
