A Portadown man who threw a beer bottle at police has been given a suspended prison sentence.
The 23-year-old’s barrister told court: “He fell into the delinquency of teenagers. For a man of his age he should have known not to……he then showed bravado in trying to be the main person police were going to give chase to.”
John Gerard Duffy, of Victoria Terrace, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and resisting police at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined how, at 10.30pm, on July 16, police were called to reports of anti-social behaviour at a car park in the Garvaghy Road area of Portadown.
Multiple younger persons were observed in the vicinity. As officers exited their vehicle this defendant began shouting and swearing at them.
Duffy then threw a beer bottle, which was in his hands, at the officer before running off on foot towards the Garvaghy Road.
Police apprehended the defendant, who struggled and swore throughout his arrest.
When interviewed in custody, Duffy made no comment to all questions put to him by officers.
Defence barrister Conor Lunny stated: “Mr Duffy knows full well your worship’s powers, he is not a stupid man…..he was given a suspended sentence back in March and one had hoped he had learned his lesson.
“He fell into the delinquency of teenagers. For a man of his age he should have known not to……he then showed bravado in trying to be the main person police were going to give chase to.”
Deputy District Judge Laura Ievers sentenced to six months suspended for a period of two years.
