Man attempted to bite officers after being caught red-handed try to burgle house

A Lurgan man who attempted to bite and spit at police officers after he was found breaking into a house in Lisburn has been jailed for two months.

Conor James McConville, 25, of Union Street, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with criminal damage and resisting police arrest.

The incident occurred on December 27, at around 9.20pm when police were called to Sloan Street, Lisburn, to a report of a break-in.

Neighbours had contacted the police as they saw the defendant climbing through the window of a house.

The owner of the house was contacted and let the police into the property.

McConville was found standing in the hallway and appeared highly intoxicated.

Police noted that his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet.

When officers attempted to detain the defendant he began to spit and attempted to bite them.

Whilst in the police van McConville become more agitated and continued with his spitting.

Court heard the criminal damage charges, which the defendant faced, were in reference to the cabin of the police van and to pictures and candles in the house.

In an interview, the defendant stated that he had no memory of the event due to his high level of intoxication, but he denied the criminal damage charges levelled against him.

Defence Counsel told the court that McConville was currently also in custody on another matter which was being dealt with in the Crown Court and predated this offence.

They explained that he had been granted bail to his father’s address in June of last year but he had re-entered custody shortly after as this address was no longer available.

Similarly, he had also been bailed in December to a friend’s address but once again returned to prison after this address was made unavailable.

The defence explained that they had spoken at length with their client and he had reiterated to them that he “had little or no recollection of what transpired on that night”.

District Judge Bernie Kelly stated that given the defendant’s “current situation he wouldn’t be able to engage in community service”.

She also said that “given the record and nature of the crime there was only one penalty she could give”.

McConville was sentenced to two months in prison and ordered to pay an offender’s levy of £25.

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