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Burglar laughs as judge jails him

A "hardened and prolific" criminal laughed in court as he was sentenced for the burglary of one of Tyrone's best known stores.

Damien McFall (22), who compares himself to a TV criminal on his Facebook page, was caught after getting trapped in the rear yard of Newell Stores supermarket in Dungannon armed with a hammer and a screwdriver.

Dungannon Magistrates Court heard police were alerted to a burglary-in-progress at around 4am on July 15 last.

When officers arrived the glass front door had been smashed and the shutter on the cigarette kiosk was badly damaged.

CCTV footage showed McFall smashing through the front door and attacking the cigarettes kiosk. He was then seen running to the fire exit, thinking it would facilitate his escape and not realising the area beyond was closed off.

Officers went to the enclosed storage yard behind the fire exit and found McFall hiding. With him was a hammer, a balaclava, gloves and a screwdriver.

Bail was refused at the time of arrest and McFall has been in custody since.

From Perry Street, Dungannon, he admitted entering the premises as a trespasser with intent to steal.

However, District Judge John Meehan yesterday criticised McFall who sat in the dock laughing and yawning throughout the hearing.

Judge Meehan said he "exhibit(ed) pronounced nonchalance and indifference" to offending.

"You simply do not care. You have repeatedly been given custodial sentences since 2010 and nothing seems to work. I treat you as a hardened and prolific offender.

"When you want money you go about getting it, no matter what. You were caught red-handed. Your complete lack of remorse and previous record must also be taken into consideration."

McFall was ordered to serve nine months in custody, again laughing openly as the sentence was imposed.

On his Facebook page, McFall compares himself to the fictional criminal Frano from Love/Hate and describes himself as a "thug".

He also makes racist comments, saying Dungannon is full of "n*****s" and asking "what happened to the white guys?"