Man drops challenge to sectarian abuse sentence

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czrmklvy041o

A man who was caught on camera shouting sectarian abuse at a young mother has abandoned a legal challenge to his prison sentence.

Adrian Douglas is serving a 20-month term for the attack on the woman’s home in Lurgan, County Armagh.

Doorbell camera footage captured the 35-year-old, from Carrick Drive in the town, banging and shouting at the front of the woman's house.

His 38-year-old brother, Alister Douglas, of Charles Baron Gardens in Lurgan, also targeted the property during the incident in April 2023.

Warning: Contains language some people may find offensive

The victim's doorbell camera captured footage of the men shouting "Fenian" and "taig"- both derogatory terms referring to Catholics – as well as hammering and kicking the door.

On spotting the doorbell camera, one of them tried to prise it off the door frame.

In an interview with BBC News, the victim said she saw the door shake and ran to her bedroom in shock.

She said she had moved into an area of Lurgan that was mainly Protestant after being offered social housing.

In May this year Alister Douglas received a 12-month suspended term for aiding and abetting intimidation.

His younger brother, who admitted charges of intimidation and attempted criminal damage, was jailed after being assessed as the main instigator.

Adrian Douglas was told he must serve 10 months in custody and a further 10 months on licence for offences which the trial judge found to be aggravated by religious hatred.

His lawyers were due to contest the sentence imposed at the Court of Appeal.

Instead, however, a defence barrister sought permission to withdraw the challenge.

Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan granted the application and formally dismissed the appeal.