A Lurgan man who kicked a police officer to the shin after being taken to the ground for disorderly behaviour has been handed a suspended sentence.
Dealing with the 34-year-old’s case, the district judge commented: “I see he wished to express his apologies to the police. I am minded to deal with him by leaving something hanging over his head.”
Mark William Cairns, of Lime Grove, appeared for sentencing on assault on police and disorderly behaviour at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecution outlined that on January 1, at 11.45am, police were called to a report of an ongoing domestic incident at Margretta Park, Lurgan.
Officers arrived but no one answered the door, however, they noted that they could hear persons inside the property and saw the blind in an upstairs room move.
Police went to the rear of the address and found that a back door had been left open.
They entered and made the occupants aware of their presence. They were approached by a shouting male identified as the defendant.
The officers then spoke to the house owner. She told then that she wanted Cairns to leave the property as he had ‘”lost his head”.
Prosecution told court this had all occurred in the presence of an 11-year-old boy.
The defendant shouted and swore at police, telling them on a number of occasions to “f*** off”.
Cairns resisted leaving the property and after becoming aggressive had to be taken the ground by officers.
Whilst on the ground, the defendant kicked out striking one constable on the left shin. He continued to shout and was subsequently arrested.
District Judge Peter Magill commented: “I see he wished to express his apologies to the police. I am minded to deal with him by leaving something hanging over his head.”
Cairns was sentenced to one month in prison suspended for 12 months.
