Police used CS gas in defence

John Nigel Sergeant, Oakleigh Park, Portadown, admitted disorderly behaviour, resisting a constable and assaulting a constable.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months.

The court heard that at 9pm on June 3 this year at Stronge Court in Portadown, police saw the defendant who was intoxicated. He was angry and swore repeatedly and as police tried to calm him down he continued to swear. There were elderly members of the public and children nearby.

Sergeant lunged at a constable and police had to use CS spray to defend themselves.

He would not release his hands which were under him and physical force was needed to apply handcuffs. A solicitor representing the defendant said Sergeant had written a letter apologising to the officers for his behaviour.

Imposing the conditional discharge District Judge Des Perry told the defendant: “You know the consequences of taking too much alcohol. Please don’t do it again.”