Bare-chested man shouted and swore at PSNI officers in Ballymena
A man who removed his top and shouted and swore at police at St Patrick's Avenue in Ballymena has pleaded guilty to being disorderly and attempting to cause criminal damage to a PSNI vehicle.
William Matthew Carter (35), of St Patrick's Avenue, appeared at Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday via video link from prison.
A prosecutor said around 9pm on October 8 last year police were dealing with a separate incident and the defendant came out of an address and began to shout and swear towards officers.
"He then removes his top, baring his chest" and "acted in a highly aggressive manner", the court heard.
Police made several attempts to calm him down and appealed for him to go back inside, the court was told.
The defendant appeared to calm down and went back inside but then re-emerged and failed to calm down.
He continued to loudly shout "f*cking b*stards".
When arrested and handcuffed he used the cuffs to bang against the windows of a police vehicle.
A defence barrister said the defendant has a "learning disability" and is "particularly vulnerable".
She said the defendant had "fallen into a very negative peer group" and "there is no doubt that alcohol and drugs played a significant role in the offending that brought Mr Carter to court on this matter and also other matters".
The defendant was in breach of a suspended sentence for disorderly behaviour.
Deputy District Judge Alan White said the defendant had a "significant record" and jailed him for four months.