Assaulted police officer in B&B row

Matthew McDowell, whose address was given to the court as Johnston Way, Lisburn, admitted disorderly behaviour at Portmore Street on March 11 this year and assault on a constable.

For the assault he was sentenced to four months in prison while a two month term was imposed for the disorderly offence.

Both terms are to run concurrently and were suspended for 12 months.

Craigavon Magistrates Court heard last Wednesday that at 12.35am police received a report of a drunken man who was refused entry to a bed and breakfast establishment in Portadown.

The defendant was angry and was swearing and shouting.

When spoken to by police he calmed down and walked away.

He later returned to the bed and breakfast and refused to leave because he had paid money to stay there.

Again he was shouting and swearing and he asked police if he could urinate in the street.

When he was told he could not do that he began to shout and swear at the police.

McDowell was arrested for disorderly behaviour and put into the police car.

He said he was going to jump out and attempted to take off his seat belt.

Police stopped the car and when they tried to put handcuffs on him McDowell struck one of the officers in the chest.

Mr Gabriel Ingram, representing the defendant, said McDowell had far too much to drink and that he had sought solace in drink due to some personal difficulties.

He explained that the defendant was now back home living with his mother in Lisburn and there was more stability in his life.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said it was not a case for immediate custody but the assault on the police raised the bar.