Man with 123 previous convictions gets probation and community service for violence against police officers

Police responded to a report of a concern for safety when a man threatened to enter a river in Cullybackey, a court was told.

When detained by officers, he struck out.

The man attempted to headbutt an officer, kicked an officer on the leg, and kicked out towards another officer's face.

Connor Watson, 31, who told the court he is going to live at Kilmakevit Square, Cullybackey, admitted three assaults and being disorderly on October 6 this year.

On October 3 this year there had been another concern for safety at an address which had a sofa barricaded against a door.

On that occasion the defendant assaulted two police officers.

He was shouting, being aggressive, and spat twice at police but there were no details given to the court of where the spit landed.

As officers were going down stairs the defendant kicked broken glass which landed on the head of an officer but no injury was caused, the court was told.

He then punched an officer in the face.

The defendant appeared at Ballymena Magistrates' Court today via video link from prison where he had been on remand.

A defence barrister said the defendant was ashamed of the behaviour and was extremely remorseful.

District judge Nigel Broderick said assaults on police officers will be dealt with "robustly by the courts" but the defendant had already spent a month in jail on remand.

He said Watson had an "atrocious" criminal record of 123 previous convictions and "something needs to be done to try and break the cycle".

The defendant was given a combination order of one year on probation and 100 hours of community service.