Man who gave 'middle finger' to police in Ballymena is sentenced
A man who was disorderly and gave the "middle finger" to police in Ballymena has been sentenced.
Mark Kennedy (38), with an address listed as St Patrick's Avenue in Ballymena, was sentenced on charges of disorderly behaviour and resisting police.
It happened on the afternoon of September 20 last year when the defendant was "heavily intoxicated" and he was "aggressive" and "threatened police," said a prosecutor.
He left the immediate area but as police drove past he "began to swear and he gave police the middle finger".
Police were concerned he may return to an address and he was arrested for disorderly behaviour. When handcuffed he "continued to be volatile".
He appeared at Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena on Tuesday, via video link from prison.
A defence solicitor said the defendant is addicted to "substances". He said the defendant has been of "no fixed abode" for a "considerable period of time".
The defendant, who had 86 convictions, was jailed for two months.