A Newry man who headbutted a police officer in the chest after being placed in handcuffs has been ordered to pay a fine of £250.
The 26-year-old’s solicitor told court: “He last appeared before the courts some three or four years ago…he was handcuffed tight and essentially the assault was him bending towards the officer.”
Daniel Cunningham, of Lindsay Walk, had a plea of guilty entered on his behalf to one count of assault on police at the city’s Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Prosecution outlined that on May 28, police were tasked to an incident at an address in Mayobridge.
Whilst at the property, officers located this defendant in a bedroom and he was subsequently handcuffed due to his aggression.
Cunningham then reacted by headbutting one officer, striking them in the chest.
Upon looking at the defendant’s record, District Judge Eamon King commented: “Well, he’s consistent.”
Defence solicitor Gerard Trainor stated: “He last appeared before the courts some three or four years ago…he was handcuffed tight and essentially the assault was him bending towards the officer.
“Thankfully, there was no injury caused to the police officer…one positive is that he is back living with his parents.”
He added: “I ask that he is given credit for his immediate plea, not wasting any of the court’s time, and that your worship take into account that is has been a number of years since he has been before the court.”
District Judge King stated: “I commented that he was consistent, that is because he has two previous, both of which involved police and both involved assault, but I do note that there was a plea at an early stage.”
Cunningham was ordered to pay a fine of £250, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
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