Tempers flared over a family argument

David Ivor Glendenning, Knocknagore Road, Gilford, was fined £250 and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy for assault on police on December 26 last year.

The court heard that at 1.50am a 999 call was made by a female and police were tasked to Hawthorn Hill in Portadown. The defendant and another female were there and Glendenning became aggressive.

He threatened police with violence and police believed there would be physical violence so they brought the defendant to the ground and handcuffed him. Glendenning kicked out striking a constable on the left shin.

Mr Gerry Drain, representing the defendant, said there had been a family get together with the defendant, his daughter and his niece and there was a lot to drink.

He explained that tempers became frayed in relation to a family matter.

Glendenning, who was trying to get a taxi for himself and his daughter but found this was impossible, accepted that the police were put in fear of being assaulted.

Mr Drain added that his client had stayed out of trouble for the last 14 years and this was something that got out of hand and the defendant would apologise to the police.