'Do you want a Victoria Cross?'

George Steven McElreavey (54), of Westfield Park, was being addressed by Richard Wilson at North Antrim Magistrates Court in Coleraine on Friday.

McElreavey was bound over to keep the peace for two years in the sum of 500 after he admitted charges of assault and obstruction relating to the same female police officer on October 12 last year.

When McElreavey told Mr Wilson he would not be back in court again the District Judge remarked that the defendant had been there often enough and had 97 convictions on his record.

Mr Wilson asked him what made him think he will not hit the century mark and McElreavey said many of the offences were driving offences from a number of years ago.

Mr Wilson said: “I don’t care. What do you want a Victoria Cross for that?” as he pointed out that the convictions also included 19 burglaries.

Mr Wilson said it was an “undistinguished” record and he told him to “wise up in future” before he told the defendant: “Don’t you be back”.

A prosecutor said police went to McElreavey’s address in connection with another person and the defendant shouted at police about moving their vehicle off his premises.

A defence lawyer said police had followed the other person to the area in connection with alleged road traffic offences and the defendant reacted with a “degree of frustration” and in an inappropriate fashion.

The lawyer said the assault was a technical assault in that the police officer was put in fear of assault as opposed to any physical connection.