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Drunk man on footpath screamed, shouted and swore at police who took his Buckfast away

They found the defendant on the footpath intoxicated holding a bottle of Buckfast

Armagh Courthouse

An Armagh man who screamed, shouted and swore at police after a bottle of Buckfast was taken from him has been fined £250.

The 27-year-old’s solicitor told court the defendant got involved after his friend had an altercation with the officers.

Darren Michael Sloan, of Alexander Park, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour at the city’s Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

It was heard that on February 17, police were called to The Victoria Bar in Armagh to reports of criminal damage.

When officers arrived they found the defendant on the footpath intoxicated holding a bottle of Buckfast.

Sloan became irate after police took the bottle of alcohol off him.

He began screaming, shouting and swearing at officers and this continued despite him being warned.

Defence solicitor Oisin Toner stated: “This was very embarrassing, Mr Sloan lives with his parents and has not come to police attention since.

“On the night in question he had gone out drinking with a friend, a lot of alcohol was taken, his friend got into an altercation with the police and he got involved.”

He added: “This led to some unsavoury exchanges on Mr Sloan’s part towards the police.”

Deputy District Judge Peter King said: “Now this is your third disorderly behaviour conviction, you had one in 2016, one in 2013, this seems to be a three year occurrence.”

Sloan was ordered to pay a fine of £250, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks.

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