Man who took Parachute Regiment flag from a property called a person a 'dirty Orange b**tard' in Ahoghill
A court heard a man posted footage on TikTok of himself driving around Ahoghill waving a Parachute Regiment flag he had taken from a person's home and at one stage he called somebody a "dirty Orange b**tard".
He admitted a charge of 'doing a provocative act' by engaging in 'sectarian behaviour' with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and he has also pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour in the area of Brookfield Gardens in Ahoghill.
Martin Ward (51), of Drumkill Gardens, Kilrea, committed offences on June 2 this year. He also used a hand-held mobile phone whist driving in Ahoghill and he pleaded guilty to improper use of public communications by sending matter that was 'grossly offensive'.
A prosecutor told Ballymena Magistrates Court the defendant was driving around "shouting sectarian obscenities" whilst waving a Parachute Regiment flag out the window.
The court was told the TikTok video showed the defendant asking a man: "Is this your flag?" before Ward called him a "dirty Orange b**tard".
A defence barrister said the defendant had taken the flag from a person's home.
The barrister said the defendant did not have "any animus" against the Parachute Regiment. "It is a bit unusual, I think it is tied in with his mental health," he added.
He said Ward's mental health had deteriorated since the death of his daughter last year in Belfast. A man originally from Africa but living in the Republic of Ireland was charged with her murder. The lawyer said the defendant is engaging with Community Addictions regarding alcohol abuse.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said the defendant aggravated the matter by videoing it and posting it on TikTok. The defendant had 108 previous convictions.
The judge told Ward: "The court has every sympathy for your personal circumstances. The untimely death of your daughter no doubt has been a significant cause of emotional upset for you but this is not the way to go about dealing with your grief."
He deferred sentencing until February next year to see if the defendant could stay out of trouble. Ward was told he also had continue to engage with the Community Addictions team.
"If you can address your alcohol issue then that might persuade the court not to send you to prison," added the judge.