A Lurgan man who assaulted two police officers, biting one of them, has been ordered to complete a 12 month probation order.
Sentencing the 24-year-old, the district judge warned him that is was a “serious matter to hurt police officers”.
Paul McConville, of Rectory Park, appeared for sentencing on criminal damage, disorderly behaviour, two counts of assault on police and common assault at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on January 1, at 9.15pm, police received reports of a male acting aggressively on Gilford Road in Lurgan.
Officers arrived to find a number of people standing in the middle of the road with a male, identified as the defendant, throwing air punches.
McConville appeared very intoxicated and unsteady on his feet and he shouted at officers several times telling them to “f*** off”.
Police warned the defendant that CS spray would be used if he did not desist. One officer raised the aerosol and was then punched in that hand by McConville.
Officers spoke to a member of the public, who stated that this defendant had damaged the offside wing mirror of a nearby vehicle.
McConville subsequently resisted arrest and bit an officer on the hand as limb restraints were applied.
Addressing the common assault, prosecution explained that one member of the public at the scene had been put in fear of violence from the defendant.
District Judge Peter Magill commented that he was minded to impose a probation order.
Defence barrister Conor Lunny conceded that “alcohol is an issue” for his client.
Warning the defendant that is was a “serious matter to hurt police officers”, District Judge Magill sentenced McConville to 12 months probation.
