COURT: Man assaulted Salvation Army volunteer, left shelter damaged and threatened police

Sean Donovan, of George Street, admitted one count of assault, one count of threatening behaviour and one count of criminal damage when he appeared in front of a crown court judge.

Mike Mason, prosecuting, said the 22-year-old defendant arrived at the Salvation Army shelter late on February 26 and became aggressive when the volunteer would not let him in.

During the altercation, Donovan slapped the volunteer round the head, sprayed a fire extinguisher in his direction, tried to hit him with a broom handle and threw a table at him.

Mr Mason told the court the defendant's rampage left holes in the shelter's walls and broke furniture and when the police arrived, he threatened them with a metal pole and had to be Tasered.

The incident put Donovan in breach of a suspended sentence for assault causing GBH, which he had been sentenced to just 11 days previously.

For Donovan, Kaj Scarsbrook said the defendant was a troubled young man who was extremely remorseful and did not recall the incident.

When shown the CCTV footage, Donovan was shocked and ashamed at his behaviour, the court heard.

Mr Scarsbrook told the court the defendant had recently been diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder and was now receiving treatment.

Donovan had also been showing positive changes in his attitude, his work with the probation service and had more support, the court heard.

Probation service officer, Dawn Young, said: "It's clear he has not had this level of support before and had a difficult young life.

"He has cut down on his drinking and he said he is enjoying feeling like there are people in the world looking out for him."

At sentencing, Judge David Melville said Donovan was a young man who was getting on with his rehabilitation requirements.

Donovan was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for one year, and Judge Melville did not activate his previous suspended sentence.