Ran at police officer and kicked him

Sean McGonnell, Victoria Terrace, Portadown, was jailed for a total of five months last Friday at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

For criminal damage, common assault on a male and possession of an offensive weapon on August 16 at Woodville Street, Lurgan, he was given concurrent two month custodial sentences.

Concurrent three month terms were imposed for assaulting a constable, damaging a cell van belonging to the PSNI and resisting a constable.

The three month sentences are to run consecutively with the two month terms, making a total sentence of five months.

McGonnell appeared in court by way of video link from Maghaberry prison.

The court heard that the defendant kicked at the front door of a house causing damage to the door and he assaulted a male at the scene.

He had a lightweight metal pole with him.

When police arrived McGonnell ran at an officer as if to head-butt him and then kicked him twice.

In the cell van he spat twice and struggled violently with police, lashing out during his arrest.

He made mostly no comment answers in interviews.

A barrister representing McGonnell said this was disgusting behaviour.

He explained that his client had just returned from England and had been drinking with friends in Lurgan when he got involved in these matters.

The lawyer said the offensive weapon was an aluminium part of a deckchair and the assault on the male was no more than a push.

He added that McGonnell’s behaviour left a lot to be desired and he was quite realistic about what the court would do.

District Judge, Mr Peter King, said the defendant had 62 previous convictions and his record contained periods of imprisonment.

There were a number of previous convictions for assault on police.