Climbed city centre Christmas tree

A 22-year-old man climbed the Christmas tree in the city centre while '˜baring his rear to passers by', a court has heard.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Feb 2016, 14:29 BST
Updated 4th Feb 2016, 15:35 BST
The courthouse at Bishop Street, Derry.The courthouse at Bishop Street, Derry.
The courthouse at Bishop Street, Derry.

Phillip O’Donnell, of Baldrick Crescent, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour on January 9.

Derry Magistrates Court heard city centre CCTV operators contacted police after they saw O’Donnell climb the Christmas tree.

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He had dropped his trousers and was ‘baring his rear’ to passers by.

Police spoke to O’Donnell and he began to swear loudly at the officers.

The court heard he was ‘show boating’ for his friends and was behaving erratically.

O’Donnell was warned about his behaviour but refused to stop and was arrested.

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Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said his client was ‘clearly very intoxicated’ on this night.

He said the 22-year-old was ‘showing off’ for his friends but it was ‘unacceptable behaviour’.

The solicitor said O’Donnell would not be suitable for a community service order because he was ‘suffers from chronic disorder and post traumatic stress disorder after a so-called punishment shooting’.

District Judge Barney McElholm suspended a four month sentence for two years.