Judge warns Derry man came 'very close to jail' for spitting at officer
The comments came in the case of Anthony Martin Bradley (50) of Barnewall Place in Derry
A judge at Derry Magistrate's Court has said that spitting at police officers has become 'all too common'.
The comments came in the case of Anthony Martin Bradley (50) of Barnewall Place in Derry who admitted charges of assault on police and disorderly behaviour on June 28.
The court heard police responded to a report of a drunk male and found the defendant 'shouting and swearing'.
He was warned on several occasions to stop but continued and was arrested.
While being taken into custody he tried to spit at officers and eventually spat none officer.
District Judge Ted Magill said this sort of behaviour was 'utterly unacceptable'.
He said that during the pandemic spitting carried an immediate custodial sentence and still was very serious as it carried the risk of infection.
He told Bradley he had come 'very close to jail' but it was in his favour he had apologised.
Bradley was sentenced to 3 months in prison suspended 2 years.