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Man found by ambulance staff holding knife to his own throat fined £300

He was taken to Daisy Hill Hospital due to his behaviour and drug consumption

Ambulance

A Lurgan man who was found by ambulance staff holding a knife to his throat has been fined £300.

Court heard that the 26-year-old also “acted inappropriately towards” police who were called to the scene.

Connor Wayne Whitla, of Hill Court, had pleas of guilty entered on his behalf to possession of a bladed article in a public place and disorderly behaviour at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Prosecution outlined that on March 3, police were called to an address on Toragh Park in Newry by ambulance personnel.

They reported that there was a male and female holding a knife to their own throats.

Officers arrived and seized the short bladed knife. They spoke to the male, who was identified as the defendant, who reacted by acting disorderly and shouting in the street.

Whitla was arrested, before being taken to Daisy Hill hospital due to his behaviour and drug consumption.

When interviewed, the defendant apologised to police. He stated he had taken the knife from the female but could not remember holding it to his throat.

Defence barrister David McKeown stated: “He did not bring the knife but took it off his co-accused who foolishly had it with her.

“Police arrived and he acted inappropriately towards them. This was a guilty plea at the earliest, he has 10 previous but nothing relevant.”

District Judge Eamonn King ordered that Whitla pay a fine of £300, along with the offender’s levy of £15.

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