Man jailed for theft and assaulting police officers

A man has been jailed at Derry Magistrates Court for charges of theft and assaulting police officers.

Robert Norton (40) of Carlisle Road, was charged with stealing a power cable from the North West Regional College in the Strand Road in Derry on May 31 this year.

He was also charged with assaulting the manager of a local hotel and a police officer on June 3. 

The court heard that Norton entered a technology suite in the North West Regional College pretending to be a member of staff. 

He was challenged and left with a power cable. 

The court then heard about an incident on June 3 when police observed an incident outside the Holiday Inn express where Norton was struggling with the manager and another man. 

Police were told Norton had entered the hotel where he had a history and was told that facilities were for customers only. 

While being escorted out he struck the manager in the face and then subsequently kicked out at police. 

The court heard how Norton, who has been in custody since June, had to be physically restrained by  police. 

District Judge Barney McElhom sentenced him to four months in prison.