Teenager jailed for assaulting police
A teenager who threatened to spit in the face of the local district judge has been jailed for a total of six months.
Niall McClenaghan, whose address was given on court papers as Strand Foyer, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour and assaulting police on May 12.
Derry Magistrate’s Court heard police were in the Strand Road area of the city when they had reason to chase the 18-year-old. He fell and struck his face on the ground and an ambulance was called.
The court was told McClenaghan shouted and swore at police before spitting blood in the face of an officer.
He was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital and continued to “act in an aggressive manner” in front of other patients and spat blood at a second officer.
When he was arrested the teen told officers “go on take me to f****** court, I will spit on Mr McElholm’s face as well”.
Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said his client, through resisting arrest on this night, sustained “significant injuries” including broken teeth and a broken jaw.
He said the teen had problems with alcohol and drugs, which were “all of his own making”.
However, he told the court McClenaghan has sought treatment for his addiction problems and accepted his behaviour was “unacceptable”.
Jailing the 18-year-old, Deputy District Judge Peter King said police officers serving the community should not be treated in this “disgusting manner”.
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Weather for Derry
Thursday 20 June 2013
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Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 18 C
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