Man posted Tiktok video of himself driving around Ahoghill waving Parachute Regiment flag
A court has heard how a man posted footage of himself driving around Ahoghill waving a Parachute Regiment flag he had taken from a home on Tiktok.
And at one stage he was also heard to call someone a "dirty Orange b**tard".
Martin Ward (51), of Drumkill Gardens, Kilrea, admitted a charge of 'doing a provocative act' by engaging in sectarian behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and he also pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour in the area of Brookfield Gardens in Ahoghill.
He also used a hand-held mobile phone whist driving in Ahoghill and he pleaded guilty to improper use of public communications by sending matter that was grossly offensive. He committed offences on June 2 last year.
He was due to be sentenced on Thursday but the case has been adjourned to February 19.
A prosecutor previously told Ballymena Magistrates' Court the defendant was driving around "shouting sectarian obscenities" whilst waving a Parachute Regiment flag out the window.
The court was told the TikTok video showed the defendant asking a man: "Is this your flag?" before Ward called him a "dirty Orange b******".
A defence barrister told the earlier court the defendant had taken the flag from a person's home. The barrister said the defendant did not have "any animus" against the Parachute Regiment. "It is a bit unusual, I think it is tied in with his mental health," he added.
He said Ward's mental health had deteriorated since the death of his daughter in 2024 in Belfast. A man originally from Africa but living in the Republic of Ireland was charged with her murder.
District Judge Nigel Broderick told the earlier court the defendant aggravated the matter by videoing it and posting it on TikTok. The defendant had 108 previous convictions. He had deferred sentencing until February to see if the defendant could stay out of trouble.
The defendant was not present at court on Thursday. A defence barrister said the defendant has "medical difficulties".
The court was told he had not re-offended.
Judge Broderick said a pre-sentence report was "relatively positive".
The judge said if the defendant did not engage with the court there would be an arrest warrant.
He said the defendant had to attend court on February 19 or an arrest warrant would be issued.