Two Derry brothers who went on a violent spree in city have been jailed for six years each.
Michael Carlin, 25, of Deramore Drive in the Strathfoyle area faced a total of 21 charges relating to the incidents that took place on November 18 2014.
The charges included three assaults, attempted robbery, possession of a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence, criminal damage, possession on an offensive weapon,making threats to kill and a series of driving offences.
Andrew Carlin, 20, whose address was given as Hydebank Young Offenders Centre, faced 21 similar charges.
The court heard that on the evening in question the defendants appeared at the home of a man living in the Ballymagroarty area.
The man been aware of threats being made against him on Facebook earlier that day, on one occasion
Photos of the Carlin brothers had been posted along with these threats.
The court was told that at around 6.00 pm he heard the two defendants roaring threats such as, “we will kill the b*****d.”
As he went to the door saw Michael Carlin smash a window with a baseball bat and Andrew Carlin holding what appeared to be a machete.
As the man approached Michael Carlin he swung the baseball bat at him but missed while Andrew Carlin swung the machete which hit a wall, resulting in him dropping the weapon.
The court was told Andrew Carlin then shouted “show him the gun” after which Michael Carlin brandished what appeared to be a handgun.
Afterwards, the man discovered two windows in his house had been smashed, the front door damaged and windows smashed in his car.
At around 6.45pm the court was told the defendants entered a shop in the Galliagh area where Michael jumped over the counter telling a member of staff to open the till.
His request was refused and the manager, along with a security guard, tried to remove them from the shop, resulting in both defendants lashing out at the staff and smashing a window in one of their cars.
The court was told the defendants went the home of a woman where Michael Carlin pointed the gun to her head and asked for someone by name.
After he was no-one of that name lived there, he demanded the keys of her car, a red Ford Focus, before driving off along with his brother.
At 9.00pm a couple were at home with their children when Andrew Carlin burst in wielding a handgun.demanding the keys to a car parked in the driveway.
During the incident, Carlin pointed the gun the man demanding but then said “it is just a drunken mistake.”
As the defendants fled, rhe man ran out after them .
At this point, the man’s brother-in-law was driving past and followed them shouting to people along gthe way to phone the police.
The court heard car eventually stopped and Andrew Carlin pointed the gun at him, but the swerved out of the way.
A short time later a couple spotted the Ford Focus trying to do a turn right at speed and striking railings in the process.
Andrew Carlin got out and walked towards them in their car demanding they hand it over but the couple reversed and drove away.
The defendants then approached a man who was walking towards his car and demanded the vehicle but the man got into it and locked the doors before driving off.
One of the defendants struck the window of the car with the butt of the gun.
Another driver who was parking his car had the gun pointed at his head but the pair did not succeed in getting the vehicle and ran off.
Both were arrested in the early hours of November 19.
Passing sentence, Judge Philip Babington said their crimes were committed “without any regard to the civilized values of the community.”
He they had caused '”a trail of damage across the local community, put people in fear and two people at least sustained actual physical injury.”
Judge Babington said he had no doubt those affected had 'to spend many hours and days getting over what had happened and having property and vehicles repaired with presumably costs to themselves.”
He praised the 'fortitude' of members of the public who stood up to the brothers.
Half their sentences will be served in custody and half on licence.
A series of conditions were also imposed that will come into effect once the brothers are released, including one which states they must not reside together.
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