Up to 20 people involved in disturbance in Magherafelt town centre

Around 20 people were involved in a melee in Magherafelt town centre, the local Magistrates Court heard.
Magherafelt Town Centre.Magherafelt Town Centre.
Magherafelt Town Centre.

Before the court was Cathal Joseph Patrick Higgins (19), student, of Sperrin Drive, Magherafelt, who was fined £215 for disorderly behaviour and resisting police on October 3.

A prosecuting lawyer said police on mobile patrol stopped to speak to a male when the defendant approached shouting “stop f**king insulting him” referring to the man.

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Later police observed the defendant kick another male in the back in an unprovoked assault and when they spoke to him he started shouting “black b*****ds” and acting aggressively.

The defendant told them to “get your f**king hands off me”, as police arrested him for disorderly behaviour, the lawyer continued.

She added that Higgins had to be handcuffed as he continued to struggle violently when being taken to the police vehicle.

A defence barrister said it should come as no surprise that the defendant had a lot of drink taken on the night.

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He said there was a melee of around 20 people taking place in the street at the time and the defendant should have known better than to become involved.

Referring to the comment shouted at police the barrister stressed the defendant, a first year university student, “did not have a sectarian bone in his body and had Catholic and Protestant friends”.

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