Man who punched and kicked police officer jailed for four months

A man who punched and kicked a police officer after being disturbed in his home has been jailed for four months.
By Alan Erwin
Published 22nd Jul 2020, 15:59 BST
Pacemaker Press 22/5/2013 Belfast High Court Building in Belfast City centre Pic Colm Lenaghan/PacemakerPacemaker Press 22/5/2013 Belfast High Court Building in Belfast City centre Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
Pacemaker Press 22/5/2013 Belfast High Court Building in Belfast City centre Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard Anthony Richmond reacted angrily when entry was forced to the property earlier this year.

Prosecutors said Richmond, of Woodbourne Court in the city, also tried to attack another policeman following detention for separate motoring offences.

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A judge was told he wanted to apologise for his “disgraceful” behaviour.

Richmond was convicted of assault on police and disorderly behaviour over the first incident on March 25.

Officers had gone to his address and forced the door due to potential concerns about someone believed to be inside, the court was told.

But only Richmond was located, lying on a sofa in the property.

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“He became very irate at the police presence and followed them outside,” a Crown lawyer said.

He was initially arrested for disorderly behaviour, before punching and kicking an officer who sustained minor injuries.

Released on bail at that stage, Richmond was detained again on May 12 after a car was spotted travelling erratically in the Glen Road area of west Belfast.

According to the prosecution he had been driving the Vauxhall Corsa, but refused to provide a specimen when it came to a halt.

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Richmond then kicked out at a PSNI officer and a police vehicle during his arrest.

He admitted charges including taking a motor vehicle without authority, failing to provide a specimen of breath, resisting police, assault on police and attempted criminal damage over that incident.

Defence barrister Michael Boyd said his client had suffered a difficult 12 months which resulted in him living a “nomadic lifestyle”.

“His conduct was, he admits himself, disgraceful and he apologises for that,” counsel submitted.

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“He is dealing with the cases now without any messing around.”

Imposing two months jail for the earlier offences, District Judge Mark Hamill ordered him to serve a further two months due to the “severely aggravating feature” of offending again while on bail.

Mr Hamill also disqualified Richmond from driving for 20 months.