Was abusive to ambulance staff

Ian Roland (47), whose address was given as Glenfield Road, Lurgan, admitted a charge of disorderly behaviour on August 11 this year.

He was sentenced to four months in custody, suspended for two years.

The case had been adjourned from a previous court to obtain a pre-sentence report but Roland failed to attend the appointment.

Last week’s court heard that at 8pm on the Glenfield Road ambulance staff requested assistance as the defendant was highly agitated.

He was making comments about paramilitaries over the past number of years and was swearing profusely throughout.

He was arrested for disorderly behaviour.

Mr Richard Monteith, representing the defendant, said Roland had been dealt with for another matter the previous week and released after two days because of time served on remand.

He explained that the defendant had considerable mental health difficulties and Roland said he did not turn up for the probation appointment because he had the flu.

The solicitor added that the only person his client was hurting was himself, along with his brother who was in court to support him.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said he was not helping himself by shouting paramilitary epithets at police and paramedics.

Mr Monteith said Roland had aimed a string of abuse at police who should not have to take that.

Judge Bates ruled out a fine and said the two options open to him were a suspended sentence or immediate custody.

Imposing the suspended sentence, the judge said there might just be some hope if the defendant’s brother took him in hand to see if Roland could avoid the revolving door of going in and out of custody.