Derry Court: Assault leads to suspended sentence for man who was 'highly aggressive and abusive'

A man told police that a row started in a hostel between two men after one of them placed his hand on the other's thigh in a sexual manner Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.

Christopher Murray (24) of Clooney Road in Derry admitted two charges of assault on police and common assault that occurred on July 3.

The court heard that police were called to the Banks of the Faughan Hostel to a report of a resident being 'highly aggressive and abusive'.

When police arrived they found Murray who was 'highly irate' and others were trying to calm him down.

Another resident approached police and told them that Murray had been 'verbally abusive' towards him and then grabbed hi by the throat.

Murray was taken into custody and while in the police station he was asked to remove his shoes and flicked one of them off striking an officer in the chest.

At interview Murray said he had been talking with another resident when the man placed his hand on his thigh and an argument ensued.

He said he had reacted 'in self defence' and was still agitated when police arrived.

Defence solicitor Gareth Green said the majority of this man's offending occurred when he was a youth.

He said that the assault on police occurred when he was 'flicking' his shoe off.

He said he now accepts his behaviour was unacceptable and there was nothing else pending against the defendant.

Murray was sentenced to 2 months in prison suspended for 12 months.