Man jailed over New Year's Day threats to stab father

A man has been jailed for six months after threatening to stab his father in the eye with a screwdriver on New Year's Day.

Dean Elliot, 27, from Dungiven Road in Londonderry, admitted a series of offences that occurred on 1 January.

Londonderry Magistrates' Court was told police responded to a 999 call at around 18:10 GMT on New Year's Day and were told Elliot had threatened to kill his father during an argument.

Sentencing, District Judge Conor Heaney said the incident must have been "terrifying" for Elliot's father.

The court was told when officers responded to the 999 call, Elliot was found in a back garden and was believed to be intoxicated.

His father told police the defendant had held a screwdriver to his temple and threatened to kill him during an argument.

He also said that Elliot had held the screwdriver to his eye and said he was going to stab him.

The screwdriver was found close to where police found the defendant, the court was told.

A defence solicitor said Elliott accepted his behaviour was "disgraceful" and he was "thoroughly ashamed of himself."

The lawyer said Elliott's problem stemmed from drinking too much.

The judge said he had been "completely out of control" and he was lucky not to be in front of the crown court.