A Lurgan man who was intoxicated and disorderly in the street has been fined £200.
Ryan Shortt, of Belvedere Manor, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, via videolink from Hydebank.
The 20-year-old, who was on remand in custody for another matter, was charged with one count of disorderly behaviour and appeared before the court for sentencing.
At the outset of the hearing, Shortt’s defence told the court that he had entered a guilty plea at the “earliest opportunity”.
The prosecution outlined that on June 15 last year, police attended Carrickvale Manor in Lurgan in relation to an ongoing disturbance involving the defendant.
He was in the vicinity “visibly drunk” and was behaving aggressively towards neighbours and swearing in the street.
Police discovered the defendant with his top off, shouting and acting in a disorderly manner. He was then arrested for disorderly behaviour.
Shortt’s defence solicitor argued that it was “not the worst case of disorderly behaviour to come before this court”.
District Judge Bernie Kelly commented: “The offence for which he was dealt with on the 25th of November 2022, actually postdates the commission of this offence.
“Had this been before the court the same time as that, I strongly suspect he would not have received any longer of a prison sentence.”
District Judge Kelly said she would take the “somewhat unusual step” of imposing a fine of £200, along with the offender levy. She then ordered a forthwith warrant of seven days.
Read more from the courts here.
