Co Armagh man, who spat blood at a PSNI officer, is jailed for four months by a Craigavon court
A Co Armagh man, who spat blood at a police officer, is given a four months jail term.
Jamie Lee Harvey, aged 25, from Drumbeg, Craigavon, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday via video link from Maghaberry Prison regarding a request to revoke a Combination Order the defendant is subject to.
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District Judge Michael Ranaghan revealed the original offences were criminal damage, disorderly behaviour and assaulting police.
"It did involve spitting blood connecting with a police officer,” he said.
"We have a disorderly behaviour which includes a really significant element of self-harm,” he said, adding the original sentence was a Combination Order for 12 months and 90 hours Community Service.
Harvey’s barrister Mr Damien Halleron, instructed by KRW Law, said his client has been remanded in custody and has no bail address.
“There is no prospect of him perfecting bail any time soon. It’s unfortunate he’s found himself in the position he is now – effectively remanded in relation to other offences,” said the barrister who added he was given the benefit of a non-custodial sentence to "deal with the underlying causes of his offending” which is primarily alcohol but also drugs.
"The reason the police began their interaction with him because of concern for his safety. He was clearly in a considerable amount of distress and, in fact, the police officers were tying to bring him to Bluestone when he reacted adversely towards police which is something which is characteristic of his criminal record,” he said.
"This man is facing the possibility of a life sentence by instalments,” said the barrister, adding his client has two young children.
Mr Halleron said Harvey knows the court had no option but to give him an immediate custodial sentence but asked the District Judge not to “unduly eat into his remand time”.
"It is clear the most significant offence here is the spitting of blood at a police officer, and it connected,” said District Judge Michael Ranaghan.
He sentenced Harvey to four months custody for that offence. He was also given four months jail time for the criminal damage and disorderly behaviour charges – a total of four months in custody plus £25 Offender Levy.