A man was swinging a large metal pole at police and screamed abuse at officers in Broughshane before saying he was going to “set fire” to a house.

Police were called at 1.25am at August 10 this year regarding a “concern” about Christopher Porter (29), with addresses listed on charge sheets as Knockboy Road, Broughshane and Carnvue Road, Carnmoney. The defendant was in a garden and approached police and threatened to attack them if they didn’t leave.

Ballymena Magistrates Court heard he then went into a house and said he was he was going to “set fire” to the property. Whilst police were trying to speak to him from outside he smashed a lamp and when police attempted to open a door he shut it on an officer’s hand. Police got in through another door and Porter picked up the nozzle of a hoover and held it up in the air towards officers before he could be handcuffed.

The defendant was in court for sentencing for four assaults on police and possessing a metal bar as an offensive weapon. He also admitted offences of taking a family member’s vehicle without permission; and insurance and licence offences in September this year. The defendant was put on Probation for a year; banned from driving for six months and fined £100.