Assaulted female police constable

A 30-year-old who was “frustrated” at being unable to get out of his street because a parade was passing by assaulted a female police officer, a court has heard.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Oct 2012, 11:05 BST

Martin Joseph Patrick Woods, whose address was given on court papers as Asylum Road, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour and assault on police.

The incident occurred in the Fountain Hill area of the city on July 8.

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Londonderry Magistrates Court heard Woods came out of his house and began shouting at the top of his voice as a parade was passing Spencer Road.

He was asked by police to keep quiet. However he pushed a police officer causing her to stumble and stated “f*** off. I’m just trying to get past”.

Woods struggled with police and was arrested.

A defence solicitor told the court Woods had been in his house and decided to go to the shop to get cigarettes and was “frustrated” he couldn’t get out of the street.

He said his client didn’t even have shoes on at the time, which shows the level of frustration he had. However, the solicitor said Woods accepted he acted in a “completely inappropriate way”.

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District Judge Barney McElholm said the Woods had an “extensive record” and had been given a number of suspended sentences in the recent past “to bring him to his senses”.

The judge activated a three month suspended jail term and imposed a consecutive three month sentence, making a total sentence of six months.