Suspended sentence for man who assaulted a bus driver

A man has appeared at Derry Magistrates Court charged with criminal damage and assault.

Martin Farren, 36, of Enagh Crescent in Derry, was charged with, on August 8, assaulting a bus driver while attempting to get a bus to Dublin.

The court heard how police received a report from the driver that he'd been assaulted by a passenger.

Police subsequently arrested Farren who proceeded to spit in the police van, leading to the charge of criminal damage.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that Farren had made 'quasi-admissions' to the offences and had pleaded 'fairly early'.

He also said that the offences occurred at 1.50 in the morning, after Farren had 'far too much to drink'.

He said that Farren had no previous record and an excellent work record and that he 'deeply regrets' his behaviour.

District Judge Barney McElhom sentenced him to three months, suspended for 12 months.