Two men who forced their way into the home of a Co Antrim man and his seven-year old daughter whilst brandishing a replica gun have both been jailed for 10 months.
Peter William Harvey Brown (49) and 38-year old Raymond Dennis Lamont appeared at Belfast Crown Court where they were each handed a 20-month sentence which was divided equally between prison and licence.
Citing the significant impact the incident has had on the child who was present and who witnessed it, Judge Fiona Bagnall told the pair "when someone forced their way into a family home with a replica firearm with the intention to cause fear of violence when a young child is present, a custodial sentence is inevitable".
The violent incident occurred on September 11 2021 when Lamont - armed with an imitation Glock-style pistol supplied by Brown - targeted a property on Fernagh Drive in Newtownabbey.
The resident approached his front door and saw the barrel of a gun being poked through a chain securing the door, which was slightly ajar.
Lamont started waving the weapon in the man's direction and when his daughter walked into the hallway and saw what was happening, she started to scream.
After ordering his daughter back into the living room, the resident removed the chain from the door and grabbed the gun from Lamont.
The resident then punched Lamont, who fell into a wall - and at this point Brown, who had been at the door with Lamont, became involved in a violent struggle with the resident.
Lamont and Brown then forced their way into the hallway, a further melee ensued and the resident was punched in the face by Lamont.
The resident managed to remove both Lamont and Brown from his house and after telling Brown he recognised him, he was told 'calm down, we're looking for Greg, he's a heroin dealer.'
Police were called and after giving full descriptions of both men Lamont, from Plantation Avenue in Newtowabbey and Brown, of Marine Parade in Whitehead, were arrested.
During a search of Brown's home, an assortment of ammunition was located along with a small amount of cannabis.
Both men initially denied any involvement - but just before a trial was due to commence, Brown contacted police and told them the location of the imitation firearm, which was recovered.
They later pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and assaulting the resident.
Brown also admitted possessing ammunition in suspicious circumstances and possessing a Class B drug.
Judge Bagnall said she had considered defence submissions made on behalf of both men which spoke of their expressions of remorse and their long-standing addictions.
As well as jailing both men, Judge Bagnall ordered that the imitation firearm be destroyed. She also imposed a two-year restraining order banning Brown and Lamont from harassing or threatening the man whose home they targeted.