Strabane Magistrate’s Court heard that 41-year-old Robert Patton, Pattens Road, intimidated and threatened to kill a National Carpark enforcement officer in Canal Street in Strabane on February 13 this year.

Patton issued the threat against traffic warden, Trevor Devenney telling him that there was “no ceasefire” in Strabane and if he did not leave the town within the next half hour he would “get the lead.”

Patton, whose partner is expecting his second child, also made a gesture of a “gun to the head” towards Mr. Devenney signalling his intent to kill him.

“This is an unpopular but necessary job to carry out in any town and you attempted to stop this man from carrying out his job. At the end of the day people like Mr. Devenney are left out there on their own to do these jobs and they look to the courts for protection,” said District Judge Liam McNally.

Mr. McNally added: “A clear message must be sent out to the community that this behaviour will not be tolerated and a custodial sentence will be imposed on anyone who interferes with traffic attendants in the execution of their job,”

Patton’s solicitor said that although his client has previous convictions he had not re-offended since 1994.

“The community and his family could lose out more if this man was sent to jail than if he was not. This was a one-off, he has been self-employed for the past number of years and this is to his credit,” he said.

In sentencing, Mr. McNally imposed two six months sentences running concurrently for threats to kill and intimidation. Patton was released on his own bail of £500 pending an appeal of his conviction.