Probation for Belfast man who subjected police to ‘verbal sectarian abuse’
Derry Magistrates’ Court has been told that when police responded to a report of a man climbing the railings of a church in Clooney Terrace they were subjected to 'verbal sectarian abuse'.
Ryan Patrick Smith (39) with an address at Devonshire Street in Belfast admitted being disorderly in Clooney Terrace on May 8 and also a charge of assault on police on the same date.
The court heard police responded to the report and found Smith who said he had been in hospital for drug issues but had left.
Smith began to abuse a female who had tried to help him and then began abusing police.
He tried to walk away and when police stopped him and tried to handcuff him he became aggressive shouting sectarian abuse.
Defence counsel Sinead Rogan said her client was 'upset' at how he behaved.
Deputy District Judge Trevor Browne said the behaviour seemed to be 'out of character ' for Smith.
Smith was sentenced to 18 months probation .