‘You speak with your fists’: judge slams Derry man who punched police
Defendant became ‘increasingly irate’ and swung a punch at officers executing a safety intervention
A man who a judge said 'speaks with his fists' has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrate's Court today.
Seamus Mullan (55) of Foyle Park in Derry admitted two assaults on police and a disorderly behaviour charge that occurred on May 8 last year.
The court heard that police were arresting the defendant's daughter for her own safety.
Mullan crossed the road towards the police and was described as being 'increasingly irate and frustrated'.
The defendant then swung at one officer and missed but hit another officer.
Defence counsel Fergal McCormack said his client had entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.
He said that Mullan accepted his alcohol issues and had apologised to police.
District Judge Suzanne Rice told the defendant his behaviour had actually taken away from the concern for his daughter's safety.
She said the defendant had a 'highly relevant record ' and was someone 'who can't control their behaviour'.
The judge said Mullan was 'a prolific offender' with regards to violent offending.
She sentenced him to three months in custody suspended for 18 months and ordered him to pay the two officers involved compensation to the value of £200.