A Lurgan man who claims alcohol combined with his type 1 diabetes led to him attacking police officers has been handed a conditional discharge.
Jack Benson, of Glenavon Crescent, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on police at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
It was revealed that on July 28 police were called by a member of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to a report of a man being aggressive.
Officers arrived at the Lurgan address to find the 20-year-old fighting with another male in an upstairs room.
They spoke to the defendant and asked him to calm down.
Benson then became verbally aggressive and lunged at a constable striking them in the chest and causing them to lose their balance.
The defendant was restrained and handcuffed.
As he was led out of the address Benson attempted to kick a female constable, narrowly missing her arm and head.
Defence counsel informed the court the defendant had type 1 diabetes and alcohol had led to his behaviour.
He added that Benson had “no recollection” of the events but apologised to police the next day when he “sobered up”.
It was heard that the defendant had since contacted his GP for help with alcohol addiction and had reengaged with the diabetic clinic.
District Judge Kelly told Benson: “What if you were blacklisted from all local hospitals and ambulance services? You wouldn’t have survived.”
And she warned: “This is disgraceful behaviour and if I ever see you again it will be an entirely different response.”
Benson was given a conditional discharge for two years.
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