Teenager kicked and spat on police officer

Nineteen-year-old Melissa Larmour from Garden Mews, admitted charges of assaulting the officer, and criminal damage of two police vehicles on Christmas Day last.

Larmour was also ordered to pay £49 to the PSNI in respect of cleaning the vehicles.

The court heard police were called to a house in Cookstown at 2.25am to a report of a disturbance, and the victim alleged the defendant had kicked the back door in.

Counsel said Larmour, who was under the influence of drink or drugs, was arrested and became “irate and angry” towards police.

He said she lashed out kicking an officer on the torso and spat on his feet and work trousers.

The lawyer said Larmour also spat into the front seat of the police vehicle and had to be removed to a second vehicle where she again spat.

Defence lawyer Craig Patton said the defendant apologises for her behaviour on this occasion.

He explained she had drink issues going on at the time but the defendant had actively stopped drinking heavily, and had separated herself from the peer group she was with.

Pleading for leniency, Mr Patton said the defendant “is a young lady who realises she can’t continue to act in this way”.