A Lurgan man who attempted to headbutt two police officers will have to wait until next month to learn his fate.
The 20-year-old’s solicitor told court that on the night in question the defendant himself had been the victim of an assault.
Paul McBride, of Ennis Green, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on police and disorderly behaviour at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Court heard that on March 11, at around 8.45pm, police on patrol of North Street, Lurgan, spotted the defendant kicking a bus shelter.
Officers approached McBride to ask him to calm down but he refused.
The defendant reacted aggressively, shouting, swearing and making threats to the police.
It was noted by officers that McBride had blood on his mouth and appeared to have a split lip.
The defendant then attempted to headbutt one of the officers before he was arrested and taken to Lurgan Custody Suite.
McBride attempted to headbutt another officer as he was taken into the police station.
Defence solicitor Conor Downey stated: “This was almost a year ago, Mr McBride was handed a suspended sentence in November and has not come to the attention of police since.
“He had been in employment for the last 18 months but that ended abruptly through no fault of his own.”
Mr Downey said: “On this night he had been out with his long-term girlfriend when he was assaulted.
“He was approached by police who came to his aid. Instead of reporting the attack on himself he lashed out. He knows he reacted badly”.
District Judge Bernie Kelly stated: “This is a difficult one, chronologically it is prior to the other entries on his record but this is aggravated by what the officers have said in their statement.
“I will order a pre-sentence report, that sort of commentary is simply not acceptable.”
The case will return on March 20 for sentencing.
