Told police he stole a bicycle to 
get home

William Carrigan was arrested after being spotted riding the mountain bike near the Westlink area of Belfast in the early hours of the morning.

The 37-year-old, of Glenkeen Drive in Carrickfergus, admitted theft and a separate charge of disorderly behaviour.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard Carrigan was stopped by police on January 19 this year. He told officers that he had taken the bike from Tates Avenue in the south of the city.

In a separate incident, his client was arrested on June 19 after being discovered shouting abuse near his home.

Police warned him to calm down, but had to use CS Spray due to his aggression.

Judge Austin Kennedy described the defendant’s record as “appalling”.

Imposing a five-month sentence for theft, the judge also ordered him to serve a further two months for the earlier offences. Carrigan was granted bail pending an appeal.