Became aggressive at scene of incident

Dean Pollard (19), of Drumtara, had rushed to the Shancoole area in January, Ballymena Court was told.

A prosecutor said police were dealing with an incident and saw a car being driven at speed before it “hand-braked” behind a police vehicle.

Pollard jumped out and tried to go in the direction of people but his car rolled forward and collided with the police vehicle.

Pollard was shouting and swearing in the direction of the incident and was aggressive and “squared up” to a police officer and pushed him in the chest and tried to get past.

He became violent and threw several punches towards the officer striking him in the chest.

Defence solicitor Stewart Ballentine said Pollard’s brother had been “stabbed” and his client was in a “state of panic” but calmed down on realising his brother was safe.

He said there was only a “small scrape” to the police car’s bumper.

District Judge Peter King said he could understand the defendant’s concerns about his brother but said there was “absolutely no excuse” for the way the police officer was treated.

Pollard pleaded guilty to assault on police, driving without due care and attention and failing to produce a driving licence. He was given a three months jail term, suspended for a year; banned from the road for three months and fined £250.