Man lunged head forward at police officers in cell van

Twenty-one-year-old Shea Curry from Rockview Park in the village, admitted charges of disorderly behaviour, assault on police and resisting officers in the vicinity of Rainey Street, Magherafelt, on February 15 this year.

The court heard at approximately 12.30am, police on patrol observed the defendant being ejected from licensed premises by door staff.

Prosecution counsel said the defendant was “extremely aggressive” and was swinging his arms about.

She said he was shouting and swearing in the street and resisted police as they were arresting him.

The lawyer said he continued screaming in the van and lunged forward with his head towards police and had to be pushed back.

Defence lawyer Michael Forde said Curry was “clearly extremely intoxicated” on this occasion.

He explained that the defendant had been grieving for his father, who died when he was just four, and took to drinking around the time of his anniversary.

Mr Forde said the defendant has “mental health issues in the background” for which he is receiving treatment.

He asked the court to take into account that the defendant has now stopped drinking to excess and , thankfully, no one had been injured arising out of this incident.