A Portadown man who called a group of girls “Fenians” and told police that he had a “massive c***” has been sentenced to 120 hours of community service.
The judge said the 23-year-old was a “naturally sectarian individual with a particular problem with women”.
Timothy Crowe, of Mayesfield Villas, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
It was heard that on March 3, at around 1.50am, police had reason to speak to the defendant on West Street, Portadown, due to his behaviour.
Crowe had been annoying a group of girls and referred to the females as “Fenians”.
The defendant used the word “Fenian” as he spoke to officers and made inappropriate sexual comments.
Court heard Crowe shouted: “I have a massive c***”.
He then proceeded to put his hands down his trousers moving his genitalia up and down.
Whilst committing this act, the defendant stated: “I am trying to have a w**k here”.
Crowe was warned about his behaviour by police and he entered a fast food restaurant.
Five minutes later, the defendant was back annoying the group of girls and making reference to the fact that he believed them to be Catholic.
At 2.10 am Crowe was arrested for the offence of disorderly behaviour.
Defence barrister Aaron Thompson stated: “Mr Crowe has had a sea of change with regards to this offence after he was told of the abhorrent behaviour.
“He appeared first with no representation but following contacted his solicitor after the reality of how serious this was”.
He said: “Mr Crowe drank an appalling amount that night, he told probation he consumed a half bottle of vodka before he even left the house.
“He accepts what he said although he has no great memory and accepts that he lost control of himself”.
Mr Thompson continued: “This is an aberration of his previous character, he thought he could just turn up and apologise for what he did.
“He quickly found out that was no the case”.
It was heard that Crowe lost his employment due to the “nature” of his comments but had found new work.
Mr Thompson stated: “He is embarrassed as he works with members of all communities”.
District judge Bernie Kelly said: “I am certifying this as a hate crime because of the sectarian element of your language.
“This was wholly unacceptable behaviour”.
She told Crowe: “Alcohol did not make you say these things when you drink the normal guards which stop you from saying unacceptable things go.
“You are a naturally sectarian individual with a particular problem with women”.
The defendant was sentenced to 120 hours of community service.
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