Gorey mother’s plea to spare her son from going to prison

HIS MOTHER’S plea that her son should be spared a jail sentence was taken into account as Brandon Leeson (23) of 29 Hillcrest Drive, Gorey was dealt with at the District Court.

Judge John Cheatle heard that Leeson had been barred by the court from his home at Hillcrest Drive but had returned on several occasions putting his parent in fear and on one occasion breaking a glass panel at the rear of the house.

He had been residing with his grandmother.

Also considered by the court were a motor insurance charge and a criminal damage which arose from the smashing of a shop window at 14 Esmond Street.

Leeson’s mother sat beside him in the courtroom throughout proceedings and heard solicitor Lana Doherty describe the defendant’s relationship with her as ‘love hate’.

She had come to support her son and did not want to see him put in prison, stressed Ms Doherty, who said that Leeson had no formal education and had suffered from ADHD as well as a drink problem.

It was also pointed out that he had already spent several weeks in custody on remand.

A ten month sentence for driving without insurance was suspended and Leeson was disqualified from driving for ten years.

He was ordered to pay €315 in compensation to the owner of the shop window or face two months behind bar.

Breaches of the barring order in force at Hillcrest Drive were taken into consideration.