Suspended sentence for man who punched female police officer in the face

A man has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrates Court after punching a female police officer in the face.

Corey Adams (20) of Heron Way in Derry was charged with, on August 5 last year, resisting arrest and assaulting police.

The court heard that police initially responded to security staff at Ebrington Square struggling with a male. When police arrived, Adams was on the ground and began shouting abuse at police as they tried to arrest him.

Adams, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time, then swung his arms, punching a female officer in the face.

Defence Barrister Stephen Chapman said that the incident was aggravated by the assault, adding that Adams had simply taken too much to drink and 'couldn't handle it'.

He added that Adams had no memory of police being involved until being told about it the next morning. He said that the incident was 'out of character' for him and that he had pleaded guilty.

He received a sentence of four months, suspended for two years and a £750 compensation order to be paid to the officer.