Probation for man who smeared excrement on cell

Coleraine Magistrates Court was told David Samuel McCrudden (31), of Laurel Mount Road, had been arrested after earlier being found in possession of 45 Diazepam tablets in Portstewart.

A prosecutor said in November last year police received a report from staff at The Ice House that two men were fighting outside and when officers intervened they found McCrudden had the tablets in a wallet.

Later when he caused damage to Cell Seven at Coleraine Police Station it cost £120 to bring in a professional cleaner.

Defence solicitor Garrett Greene said his client had been watching a football match and a man with him was unruly and McCrudden then removed him from the pub and the friend took exception and a scuffle broke out.

He said McCrudden’s behaviour in the station had been “improper” but that he became frustrated at being left in a cell.

The solicitor said the defendant, who had admitted charges of possession of Class C drugs and criminal damage, had cleaned the mess in the cell himself.

He said McCrudden had previously suffered a brain injury in a road traffic accident and had been using diazepam but has been advised to raise the matter of medication with his GP.

Deputy District Judge John Connolly said it was his “horrendous behaviour” and although it had to be seen in the context of somebody who has suffered a brain injury it did not justify McCrudden’s actions.

He has been ordered to do 40 hours Community Service and has been put on Probation for a year and told to engage with alcohol and drug counselling.

McCrudden had brought £60 to court towards the cost of cleaning the cell and the judge said it should go to a charity nominated by the police.