Banbridge man, who forcibly removed an engagement ring from a woman's finger in Lurgan, told PSNI officers he had razor blades in his backside

Edward Cowley, aged 33, from Scarva Walk, Banbridge, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court via video link from Maghaberry Prison.

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He pleaded guilty to nine charges including common assault on a woman, possession of the Class C drug Diazepam, possession of the Class B drug cannabis, criminal damage, two counts of assaulting police, resisting police and disorderly behaviour.

The court heard that on August 24 this year at around 11.55am, police received a ‘dropped call’ from a woman’s mobile phone.

A prosecutor said there had been ‘previous occurrences’ at the address and police attended Grattan Street, Lurgan.

"On arrival officers located her in an upstairs room with the defendant hiding by the side of the bed,” said the prosecutor, adding Cowley was wanted for breach of bail at that time.

The woman told officers that prior to their arrival Cowley had ‘grabbed her and threw her across the room and forcibly removed an engagement ring from her finger’.

"He became aggressive with police and actively resisted being removed from the house,” said the prosecutor.

The court heard that during a struggle, Cowley ‘lunged’ towards one constable causing both him and another officer to fall and a mirror to smash resulting in the second constable sustaining an arm injury.

While Cowley was restrained at the top of the stairs until other officers arrived, he sat upright and refused to walk down the stairs.

He was moved downstairs and restraints were put in place while he was searched.

Police found a strip of Diazepam and a small bag of white powder.

While being conveyed to Banbridge Custody, he began to headbutt the internal doors of the cell van which resulted in him being further restrained.

While searched in custody a cannabis butt fell from his shorts.

"When being escorted to the cell he turned to the officers and said ‘Time for a hospital visit’ and immediately began to punch and headbutt the cell walls,” said the prosecutor.

"He was restrained and he stated he had razor blades up his back passage,” she said, adding when Cowley was conveyed to hospital he spat over the cell door. On return from hospital he again spat on the cell van.

During interview he denied assaulting the woman and the rest of the interview was ‘no comment’.

Cowley’s barrister, Mr Aaron Thompson, said it was a ‘serious string of offences’.

“He’s a poor record and has been in custody since August. So he has served more than the equivalent of a six months sentence.”

He added that Cowley wasn’t long out of custody when this incident happened.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “Your record is an appalling one. This is a significant series of offences involving the assault on a female, assaults on police and disgusting behaviour.”

For criminal damage, he sentenced Cowley to eight months in jail, for disorderly behaviour, resisting police, assault on police x 2 and common assault he was give five months jail and for both drug possession charges two months – a global sentence of eight months.