A Keady man who assaulted three officers after being offered a lift home has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
James Murphy, of Madden Grange, appeared before Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Newry, on Tuesday for sentencing in relating to the assaults which occurred on May 12.
A prosecution lawyer told the court that the 26-year-old was walking down the centre of Keady, on Kinelowen Street, shortly after 1am wearing a pair of sunglasses and swaying in the road.
Police turned their vehicle to approach him and which point he jumped up and sat on top of a bin and began to kick it with his feet, causing loud, continual banging. He also began to swear and shout loudly.
Police stopped the vehicle and conducted a search, due to his behaviour and how he was presenting to police, but there was nothing untoward found.
At this point police offered to take him home, however, he began to shout profanities and began to gyrate against the front of the police vehicle in a sexual manner.
He then lay on his back and kicked out striking an officer in the front of his chest. He was subsequently placed in the back of the patrol car.
As kicked another constable as they attempted to get him inside and close the door. He kicked out at the same officer again, striking his right leg and groin area.
At 01.20am he was arrested for two assaults on police, however, whilst en-route to custody, he shouted, “I hope you crash the car” and other profanities before kicking out of the officer who was driving the police vehicle, striking her on the left arm and then glancing onto the side of her face.
Murphy’s defence counsel said there had been some difficulty in getting the probation report ready to court.
“The first reason for that was in September, when he attended the Armagh office, he unfortunately suffered a seizure and had to go to hospital,” said the defence.
“Seizures is something that he suffered from for a significant period of time. Unfortunately, a number of years ago, his father passed away, and he’s had issues with his relationships with his sister and his mother since, however, that is now steady. He’s now off the alcohol and he’s engaging with his GP in Armagh.”
The defence asked District Judge Anne Marshall to consider the fact that he pleaded guilty and his limited record and “perhaps the best way to hold him accountable, going forward, is to leave something hanging over his head”.
However, Judge Marshall argued that Murphy had only pleaded guilty on the day of contest.
“You’ve assaulted not one, not two, but three police officers, including the female police officer who was driving the vehicle at the time,” said the judge.
“The police were trying to take you home for your own safety at the beginning. They do not in any way deserve to be treated in this way.
“I’m rather astounded that in those circumstances, you don’t consent to community service, stating your health as a reason. Your health obviously didn’t stop you being completely and utterly intoxicated and assaulting three police officers in the day in question.”
Murphy was sentenced to two months in custody, suspended for two years.
