Graffiti appearing to threaten judge appears on court building in Newtownards

Graffiti appearing to threaten a judge has appeared on a court building in Northern Ireland.

The name of district judge Mark Hamill was daubed on the wall on Newtownards Court in Co Down alongside a crosshair.

A number of windows were also smashed at the building.

It is the second time the court building has been targeted since a long-running feud between rival loyalist factions in the area began.

A number of properties in the Co Down town and surrounding areas have been attacked in the feud between opposing drug gangs.

The PSNI has appealed for information over the incident.

A spokesperson said: "Police are investigating a report of criminal damage to premises at Regent Street in Newtownards.

"A report was received shortly before 8am today, Wednesday 26 July, that a number of windows had been smashed and graffiti sprayed on a wall.

"It's believed that the damage was caused overnight.

"Enquiries are continuing, and police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area between approximately 6pm yesterday, Tuesday 25 July, and 7.30am today, Wednesday, to contact 101, quoting reference number 292 of 26/07/23."

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