Man who surveilled police station handed prison sentence

A 35-year-old man who admitted recording details of vehicles parked within Lurgan police station on his mobile phone has been given an 18-month jail sentence.

Samuel McCaughey from Kilwilkie Road in Lurgan, pleaded guilty in 2024 to "recording information on 27 May 2020, likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, namely details of vehicles situated at Lurgan police station".

He was further charged with having published vehicle details belonging to two members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

He also admitted this charge.

McCaughey's barrister told Belfast Crown court his client "caused no harm" with his actions.

However, Judge Philip Gilpin disagreed, telling the court: "I'm not sure that's right. He caused considerable upset and distress."

The court heard that "real and significant harm was caused" by McCaughey's actions.

The court heard that the recordings had a significant impact on one of the victim's personal life, making them feel helpless and anxious.

Another told the court through a victim impact statement that the recordings caused them "distress" and had a "significant impact on their mental health".

Belfast Crown court heard that McCaughey was "off his face" at the time of the recordings and recognises it was a "foolish act" that he shouldn't have engaged with.

His barrister told the court McCaughey was "very sorry" and that he had made "substantial changes" to his life over the last six years.

He was led away in handcuffs and will serve 18 months in jail with a year on licence upon release.