A Portadown man who assaulted two police officers at a hostel in the town has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Court heard that the 36-year-old also called one officer a “stupid c***” and threatened to report them.
Tony Maher, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour, possession of Class B and two counts of assault on police at Lisburn Magistrates’ on Monday, via videolink from police custody.
Outlining the facts, a constable said that on June 26 police received a report of a fight at a hostel on Edward Street in Portadown.
Upon their arrival officers were confronted by one resident, the defendant, who approached them with arms raised saying “f***ing idiot” and “d***head”.
After being warned by one officer about his behaviour he called them a “stupid c***”.
Police then detected a smell of cannabis, they proceeded to ask Maher to go outside for a search to be conducted, to which he replied: “Let’s go.”
The defendant pushed his head towards one officer and fearing violence another officer restrained his arms behind him.
Maher told police that someone upstairs was recording the incident, whilst being detained he told officers he would report them and continued to be abusive.
During the search, police located a ziplock bag containing around 10 grams of suspected cannabis.
Prosecution added that whilst being detained Maher had also kicked out hitting one officer.
Defence barrister Aaron Thompson stated: “Mr Maher was dealt with in the Crown Court in 2018. For this he received a custodial sentence of two years, half in prison and half on licence.
“The hostel on Edward Street in Portadown is where he has been spending his licence period, which is due to be completed in July, and he had been doing very, very well.”
He continued: “Police could have released him on bail following but for him not being able to return to the hostel. He has a supportive sister who has offered an address for him to go to if released.
“An argument had occurred with another resident, but Mr Maher reacted badly to police presence as he believed he was being arrested for something he did not do wrong.”
District Judge Amanda Henderson stated: “This would be a case which has crossed the custody threshold but I must take into account that he has nothing on his record for drugs in the last eight years and the technical nature of the assaults.”
Maher was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for a period of two years.
