Defendant abusive to staff and nurses

He was Reuben John Glen, Ardboe Drive, Lurgan, and he was sentenced to three months in prison, 
suspended for two years, for the theft of a bottle of 
vodka from Lidl on July 20 last year.

A four month term, also suspended for two years, was imposed for the theft of a bicycle on August 29.

He was ordered to pay £150 compensation for the bike which was not recovered.

For two disorderly behaviour offences at Craigavon Area Hospital on January 11 last year he was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for two years.

The court heard that on July 20 police went to the Lidl store in Castle Lane where the defendant had been detained by staff.

CCTV showed him putting a bottle of vodka down his trousers.

Glen said he had no money and was going to drink the vodka in the park.

On August 28 at 7.30pm the defendant was seen on CCTV taking a bicycle from outside McDonald’s Supervalu on the Portadown Road, Lurgan.

On January 11 police received a report of the defendant causing a disturbance at the accident and emergency unit at Craigavon Hospital.

He was sitting in a bus shelter and a number of porters were standing nearby. Glen was swearing loudly in an abusive manner and staff wanted him to leave the grounds of the hospital.

After agreeing to do so Glen ran back towards 
the hospital and began 
banging on the automatic doors.

Because he had a facial injury he had to be 
placed in an empty ward where he was abusive to staff and nurses.

Mr Conor Downey, representing the defendant, said Glen had re-engaged with the addiction services and his family had rallied around him.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, told Glen he was a ‘whisker’s breath’ away from immediate custody.