A Lurgan man who falsely told police that he was a law student as he refused to remove himself from the front of a station has been given a conditional discharge.
Conor Henderson, 21, of Gilpins Mews, pleaded guilty at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday to disorderly behaviour.
The incident occurred on Saturday, March 24, at around 4.45pm when the defendant, who appeared intoxicated, was spotted by police outside the Lurgan station.
Henderson was positioned so that he was obstructing traffic which attempted to enter or leave the station.
He was asked by officers to move along but the defendant then began to raise his voice and attempted to enter the station.
When he was told that he could not enter, Henderson began shouting and swearing at the staff.
Defence counsel stated that had been drinking in the Celtic Supporters’ Club and ordered a taxi to pick him up from the station, which was opposite the bar.
They told the court that Henderson then “admits that he had got stroppy” when he had been asked to move by officers.
District Judge Bernie Kelly revelled in reading out some of the things which the defendant had said to the police.
“First he asked them to give him a lift home”, said Judge Kelly, then she added that, “you told a police officer that you paid his wages”.
“How can that be when you don’t work?”, the Judge asked Henderson.
It was also heard that the defendant claimed to be a law student and told police that they could not search him without a warrant.
Henderson was handed one-year conditional discharge.
Judge Kelly stated this was down to the defendant having no previous record, but warned him that next time he could be serving time.
