A man who was verbally abusive towards police officers who stopped him in Lurgan due to the manner of his cycling has been handed a £275 fine.
Court heard how police were forced to make an emergency stop after the 41-year-old veered off the footpath on to the road in front of their vehicle.
Colin Knox, of Tonagh Drive, Lisburn had pleas of guilty entered to dangerous cycling, disorderly behaviour and obstructing police at Craigavon Magistrates’, sitting at Lisburn, on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on September 4, at 10.30pm, police on patrol in the vicinity of Avenue Road in Lurgan observed a cyclist who appeared unsteady.
They continued as the male on the bike veered off the footpath and onto the road in front of them, causing police to make an emergency stop.
Officers attempted to have the cyclist stop on a number of occasions but he failed to do so.
Police eventually caught up with the male to speak to him; it was noted that he smelled of intoxicating liquor and that he was unsteady on his feet.
The cyclist, who was later identified as the defendant, became abusive towards the officers saying “f*** off” and used further expletives.
Knox was then subsequently arrested by police for the offences which were before the court.
Defence barrister Ciara Ennis stated: “This was a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, I would ask that he is given maximum credit as this would appear to be a one off incident”.
District Judge Rosie Watters ordered that the defendant pay a fine of £275, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 26 weeks.
