Derry Court: Man jailed for a series of public order offences

A man has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today for a series of public order offences.

Joseph Harkin (60) of no fixed abode admitted a series of offences that occurred in November last year.

The court heard that police were called to an incident at Foyle Haven where Harkin had been stopped from heating something up as this is not allowed.

Staff offered to do it for him but he went out to the common room and threw two coffee cups across the room.

He then lifted a pool cue and put a member of staff in fear they were going to be struck.

Harkin was described as being 'very aggressive and angry' and when police arrived he 'lashed out' at them.

When in custody the defendant asked for a cup of coffee and when it was passed through a hatch to him he threw it at a civilian custody officer.

At interview he told police he 'just snapped' and apologised but was 'smirking' when doing so.

The court then heard about an incident on November 24 when a woman heard someone at her door.

She went to open the door thinking it was her husband but it was Harkin who 'lunged' towards her.

The woman managed to push the defendant out and after a brief struggle she locked the door.

The incident was captured on doorbell footage and when this was shown to Harkin he laughed and said 'certainly looks like me.'

A further incident occurred on November 24 when staff at a B&B reported that a room occupied by the defendant had been 'trashed'.

Police observed the damage and there were holes in the wall and other damage amounting to £5-600.

When brought into custody Harkin spat on the custody desk and in his cell.

Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said that Harkin had issues with alcohol 'for many a long year.'

He asked for credit for the guilty plea.

Harkin was jailed for a total of 10 months.