A Portadown man who called an officer a “baldy b******” and goaded police to fight him has been handed a suspended sentence.
Noting the 22-year-old’s plea, the district judged commented that it was the difference between him “going to jail today and not going to jail”.
John Gerard Duffy, of Churchill Park, was charged with a single charge of disorderly behaviour at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecution outlined that on February 21, at 7.05pm, police were called to the defendant’s home by his mother.
She had alleged that Duffy had attempted to damage property and had been verbally abusive, whilst asking her for money.
Officers arrived to find that the defendant had barricaded himself in a bedroom using furniture.
Duffy later left the property, when approached by police on Churchill Park he called one officer a “baldy b******” and shouted at them “come on and fight me”.
He was subsequently arrested and refused to make any comment during interview.
District Judge Peter Magill commented: “You pleaded guilty to this offence, for which you are due credit…that is the difference between you going to jail today and not going to jail today.”
Duffy was sentenced to two months in prison suspended for two years.
