Man crashed wedding with balaclava and knife because he was ‘unable to sleep’

A man alleged to have donned a balaclava before crashing a wedding reception with a knife because he couldn’t sleep “due to the racket,” has had his case sent to Antrim Crown Court

John Patrick Anderson (21), of Scally Park, Loughgiel, is charged with assault; possession of an offensive weapon in a public place; and possession of a knife with intent to commit assault. He has been on remand, in custody, and appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday for a preliminary enquiry.

The accused was remanded in continuing custody by District Judge Liam McNally, to appear at Antrim Crown Court for arraignment in March.

In December, Coleraine Magistrates Court was told Anderson had gone to Loughgiel Millennium Centre to “disable the sound system because of the racket” from the wedding party.

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A police officer said in the early hours of Saturday, July 16th, 2016, family members associated with the wedding party were still in the community facility when a woman went outside and was approached by a “scruffy looking” balaclava-wearing man carrying a large kitchen knife.

When the woman asked him what he was doing, Anderson allegedly put the knife within five inches of her throat and the woman, a mental health worker, tried to talk to him and asked him what he wanted.

The police officer said the woman put her hands up and tried to back away from Anderson until she was pushed up against a wall and “she thought she was going to die”.

The officer said at that stage the woman’s father came out and broke a table over the defendant’s back and the balaclava was then pulled off.

The PSNI officer said Anderson identified himself and at the scene said he had “mental health issues”.

Solicitor Ciarán Shiels told the December court Anderson had been at home and was “unable to sleep because of the racket coming from the Millennium Centre. He went up to disable the sound system and it was not his intention to hurt anyone”.