Derry man (45) charged with two counts of assaulting police jailed
William Ireland (45) of Rock Mills in Derry was charged with the offences that occurred on July 16 this year after police found him drunk and attempted to help him
A man has been jailed at Derry Magistrates' Court charged with two counts of assaulting police.
William Ireland (45) of Rock Mills in Derry was charged with the offences that occurred on July 16 this year after police found him drunk and attempted to help him.
Ireland was said to be 'quite aggravated' in the police car and threatened to cut off the air supply of the officers.
Following a warning, he struck out at an officer and grabbed his arm. He also twisted the fingers of another officer.
The court heard that Ireland has 49 previous convictions, including six assaults on police and a number of drug offences.
Defence barrister Michael Donaghy said that Ireland has a 'bad record' but had managed to stay away from court since November 2022.
He added that Ireland had been 'experiencing a mental health episode' at the time of the incident and he had only been in a police vehicle as police were concerned about his well being.
District Judge Ted Magill described Ireland's behavior as 'bizarre', sentencing him to three months in custody.