A MAN who went on a drug-fuelled rampage in west Belfast which including trying to steal a car from a 72-year old woman was jailed for 18 months on Monday for the "appalling" incident.
Patrick O'Rawe, from Albert Street in the Divis area, admitted eight offences committed on May 11 last year - including two attempted hijackings and four separate assaults on police.
The 26-year old, who appeared at Belfast Crown Court with 84 previous convictions, was told he will also spend 18 months on licence on his release from jail.
The court heard that during his rampage, which including running through the grounds of the Royal Hospital shirtless, O'Rawe tried to steal two vehicles before he was arrested in an off licence.
Crown prosecutor Gareth Purvis said the first attempted hijacking occurred at Cavendish Square, when he approached a car, opening the passenger's side and making a grab for the car keys, but he then became involved in a struggle with a 72-year old woman who was in the car.
A passer-by intervened and O'Rawe fled the scene.
Around 15 minutes later, he approached a delivery van as it sat at traffic lights on the Falls Road. O'Rawe grabbed the driver's arm and told him to get out of the van, but the driver hit out at O'Rawe.
O'Rawe ran off and ran straight onto a busy road where he was hit by a car and flung in the air but "managed to pick himself up and run off."
He was arrested a short time later and taken to the RVH where he continued to be violent towards police.
Mr Purvis said O'Rawe's behaviour suggested "it was clear he was on some form of drugs."
Defence barrister Sean O'Hare told the court O'Rawe was diagnosed with Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and had abused alcohol and drugs from a young age which in turn led to his offending.
Passing sentence, Judge Patricia Smyth said she accepted that O'Rawe's ADHD has had a significant impact on his life but the remorse he displayed - particularly towards his elderly victim - appeared genuine.
