Suspended sentence for man who bit and tried to stab police officer with a needle after telling him he had Hepatitis B

A 38-year-old Derry man claimed he had Hepatitis B before biting and attempting to stab police officers with a needle at Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry Magistrates' Court has been told.

Noel Quigley, of Shipquay Street in Derry was convicted of assaulting two police officers, resisting police and threats to kill for incidents that occurred on July 1, 2016.

Defence Counsel Stephen Chapman said his client would be the first to recognise that his behaviour was ‘outrageous’.

He said Quigley is a man with a record and was subject to probation when the offences occurred, however, in the intervening period he has completed addiction counselling and taken part in a ‘Resolve Programme’ which challenges the behaviour of violent offenders.

Mr Chapman asked the judge to consider ‘leaving something hanging over him’ in the form of a suspended sentence, rather than imposing immediate custody.

Sentencing Quigley, District Judge Barney McElholm said it was his ‘very last chance’ and if he comes back before the court for any public order offence he will go to prison.

A sentence of four months suspended for two years was imposed on each count and he must pay £500 in compensation to both police officers.

For full details of the case see Monday's Derry News.