A Rasharkin man has been sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, following incidents at the courthouse in Ballymena in June last year.
Gerry Baird, of Belmont Park, who was said to be battling alcohol addiction, was also fined £450 after he admitted disorderly behaviour, assaulting a constable and resisting the same officer.
Baird was arrested following incidents outside the prem
ises at Albert Place on June 21, and disposal of the case had been deferred in November to monitor the defendant's behaviour.
A lawyer for the PPS told last week's sitting of Ballymena Magistrates Court that police were called to the building at 11.15am. Baird was heavily intoxicated and was shouting obscenities.
The security gate was opened to allow pedestrians to enter and Baird charged inside and attached himself to railings.
"He was advised to leave the area and to remain outside, but he started to shout obscenties at court staff and police. Again the gate was opened and he made another attempt to push his way in and had to be physically restrained," said the prosecutor.
She went on to say that after Baird was arrested, he kicked out at police, and after he had been placed inside a police vehicle he attempted to head-butt an officer.
Emma McCann, defending, said that when Baird was sober, "a more benign man you would not meet." She told the court that since the deferral in November, there had been no recurrence of criminal activity by Baird.
"He still battles with a chronic alcohol addiction," added Ms.
McCann. "At the very best he is going to have to make a distinction between drinking at home and drinking in public. Any drinking he is doing at home is not inconveniencing others."
Richard Wilson, RM, described Baird's behaviour as "disgraceful". He added: "I have a view about people misbehaving at hospital, and I would hold a similar view about courts."
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