Man in court on disorderly behaviour charge

Christopher Abbott (28), Lurgan Road, Banbridge, was sentenced to 200 hours community service for a disorderly behaviour offence.

The case had been adjourned from a previous court so that a pre-sentence report could be prepared.

The previous court heard that on March 22 police received a 999 call about some males with a box of beer at Erinvale Terrace, Banbridge.

Police attended and requested Abbott to take his friend home but he began videoing his friend urging him to rugby tackle police.

The defendant then sat on the bonnet of the police car and tried to open the door.

Last week District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, told Abbott he was ‘sailing close to the wind’ but he would give him a ‘final opportunity to do something worthwhile for the community’.

And he warned the defendant that if he did not do the work and the matter was brought back to the court he would consider custody.