Three months jail for Derry man who punched police officer

A man who a solicitor said had 'gone down a very dark road' and ended up on the streets has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today.

Ethan Collins (22) of Dacre Terrace in Derry admitted a charge of disorderly behaviour on October 28 last year and also a charge of disorderly behaviour and assault on police on April 11 this year.

The court heard that on October 28 police attended a fight in John Street where CCTV operators observed Collins assaulting a man sitting in the street. 

A prosecution solicitor said that there were no serious injuries but immediately afterwards the injured party's girlfriend attacked Collins and he came out worst. 

On April 11 CCTV operators alerted police to two men assaulting another man in the city centre. 

Collins was identified as holding a man in a headlock and when police intervened he punched a police officer in the face. 

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that this was 'a very unfortunate case' and that alcohol addiction had resulted in Collins being on the streets.

He said that he had been mixing with other street drinkers and these incidents were fights among themselves. 

The solicitor said that his client was 'determined to get his life back on track' and was going to seek treatment for his addiction.

He added that his client 'regretted' striking the officer and just lashed out.

Collins was jailed for three months and ordered to pay £250 in compensation to the officer he assaulted.