Jail sentence for Larne man who spat in face of police officer
A judge said "spitting on someone in the course of their employment is inexcusable".
Deputy District Judge Trevor Browne was speaking at Ballymena Magistrates Court where he jailed a man with a Larne address.
William James Surgenor (29), of Station Road, admitted assaulting a police officer on January 13 this year. A charge of being disorderly in Larne was withdrawn by prosecutors.
A prosecutor said police were in the Circular Road area of Larne on January 13. The defendant was being taken to Antrim Area Hospital and kicked out while exiting a cell van.
He spat directly into an officer's face and at the hospital he was "volatile" and limb restraints had to be applied. In a triage area he kicked the same officer.
On September 28 last year the defendant was caught with cannabis.
A defence barrister said that the defendant had issues with alcohol and drugs and "considerable mental health problems".
The defendant had spent time in custody on remand and appeared at court via video link from prison.
The barrister said the defendant wished to apologise for his "intolerable" behaviour.
Judge Browne said: "Any assault on police is a serious matter but spitting on someone in the course of their employment is inexcusable. These are people going about their daily work and are entitled to expect not to be spat on".
The defendant was given a three months jail sentence.