A Latvian national has been handed a conditional discharge for assaults on police which occurred back in 2015 after returning to Armagh.
The 31-year-old’s barrister said the defendant had returned to his native country for a period after being “unaware of his obligations to the court”.
Maksims Foross, of Callan Street, pleaded guilty to assault on police at the city’s Magistrates’ on Tuesday.
It was heard that at 1.30am on September 6, of 2015, police attended Cathedral Road in Armagh to find a crowd of people arguing and jostling.
Officers were approached by a male who pointed out the defendant, alleging he had punched him in the face.
Foross was subsequently arrested and placed in the rear of a police vehicle. The defendant then put up his middle finger to the crowd as he was apprehended.
In the rear of the vehicle, Foross swung a punch, but missed an officer who managed to place one handcuff on the defendant.
He then attempted to headbutt this same officer.
Whilst en route to custody, the defendant continued to be aggressive and kicked out at another officer.
District Judge Paul Copeland stated: “This man is originally from Latvia and I gather he spent some time back in his native country.”
Defence barrister Kevin O’Hare said: “Yes he had done; he has been back in this jurisdiction for three months, this was an unfortunate event involving intoxication.”
Judge Copeland stated: “This was in the small hours after closing time in the local pub and appears to have involved a number of persons.”
Mr O’Hare commented: “He lives locally in the city with his mother; he is due to start work on Monday and at the time of the offence was unaware of his obligations to the court.”
Judge Copeland said: “Taking into account that this incident occurred some four years ago and there has been nothing since I am prepared to deal with you in a way that does not impinge your liberty.”
Foross was was handed a conditional discharge for a period of two years.
