A Lurgan man who bit a constable on the hand and assaulted three others is to appeal a prison sentence of eight months.
The 31-year-old’s barrister told court that his client had gained a “false sense of security” in which he believed he could drink in moderation after release from a rehabilitation centre but he now knew that not to be the case.
Christopher McDaid, of Dill Avenue, pleaded guilty to four counts of assault on police and disorderly behaviour at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court, via videolink from Maghaberry.
Prosecution told court how on November 25, at around 12.10am, police were called to an address in Lurgan following reports of an incident between a mother and son.
On arrival, officers found this defendant lying on the front porch and his mother told police that she had been unable to get him into the house due to his intoxication.
McDaid struggled as officers assisted him to his feet, calling police “rats” and making other derogatory comments.
The defendant was offered a lift home, but as he made his way towards the police vehicle McDaid continued verbally abusing officers and approached them in an aggressive manner.
As the defendant was being ushered into the police vehicle, he grabbed the face of a constable, knocking his mask off in the process.
McDaid was subsequently arrested and whilst being conveyed to Lurgan Custody Suite the defendant continued to be aggressive, grabbing one constable by the face and another by the wrist.
Outside the station, McDaid once more was aggressive, this time biting the hand of a constable and six officers were then needed to bring him into custody.
Defence barrister David McKeown stated: “This is a man with one serious problem and that is alcohol…this time last year he was at Cuan Mhuire, he completed the course first time and had very strong recommendations from staff.”
According to the barrister, this gave his client a “false sense of security” in which he believed he could drink in moderation but he now conceded that was not the case.
Mr McKeown added that as a result of this offending his client had received an 18 month prison sentence and asked that any further sentence was concurrent to this.
District Judge Bernie Kelly stated: “It was obviously an atrocious incident involving quite a number of police officers.”
McDaid was sentenced to a total of eight months in custody for the offences before the court.
Mr McKeown made it know that his client wished to appeal this sentence, as he had already lodged a similar application for other matters.
District Judge Kelly granted bail, with no release, at a recognizance of £100 in order for the appeal to take place.
