Suspended sentence after man assaulted police officer

Connor Henry Lennon from Church View Way, Laurencetown pleaded guilty to obstructing police, resisting police, assault on police and criminal damage.

He was given a three month prison sentence suspended for two years.

The court heard how Lennon was found to be the back seat passenger in a car stopped by police on the Lurgan Road on 19 September 2009.

Checks revealed that he was wanted by police in relation to other matters, and when they asked him to step out of the car he ran off in the direction of Weaver's Meadow Banbridge.

He was found hiding in a garden and officers tried to restrain him. However, Lennon struggled and became violent, refusing to put his arms behind his back. At one stage he pushed a police officer making him fall backwards into a stack of wood.

Once handcuffed, Lennon continued to struggle violently, and after being put on the ground, he continually twisted and attempted to crawl under the police vehicle.

He then kicked an officer forcing his watch strap to break. When a police van arrived Lennon refused to be placed inside using his legs to stop officers. He had to be physically placed in the van and physically removed when the vehicle arrived at the police station.

A solicitor for Lennon said his client is currently serving a prison sentence on other matters. Regional Magistrate Mr Paul Copeland said it was apparent Lennon had a history of confrontation with the police.