Shouted sectarian abuse at cycle race

David Thompson, Millbank View, Corbet, Banbridge, admitted disorderly behaviour on July 24 this year.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months.

Banbridge Magistrates Court heard last Thursday there was a cycle race at Solitude Park and families and young children were in attendance.

A police mobile patrol saw the defendant who was intoxicated.

He was shouting sectarian abuse.

Police warned him about his behaviour but he continued shouting sectarian abuse at the top of his voice.

He told police: “F—k you. Up the UDA.”

A solicitor representing the defendant said Thompson had a significant record but had stayed out of trouble for the last four and a half years.

He added that the defendant had been out celebrating his birthday and had consumed so much alcohol he had little recollection of what happened.

It was a minor slip-up which resulted in Thompson being in front of the court, added the solicitor.