By 
A JUDGE as ruled that a public order incident which took place just metres from the site of the Omagh bomb was aggravated by comments about police being shot and raped.
Lee Doherty (34), whose address was given as no fixed abode, appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court, where he admitted disorderly behaviour, assaulting police and resisting arrest on January 16.
A further charge of attempted criminal damage to a Police Service of Northern Ireland cell van was withdrawn.
The court heard that Doherty had been released from a custodial sentence only the previous day when police were called to Campsie Road in Omagh following reports that he was acting aggressively.
Officers observed Doherty staggering and at one point almost falling onto the road.
When spoken to, he was foaming at the mouth and repeatedly raising his voice despite requests from police to calm down.
The court was told that Doherty waved his fists aggressively and was verbally abusive, shouting profane and sectarian slurs at officers and threatening that they would be shot.
It was also disclosed that he made demeaning comments towards female officers and said he would rape them. His behaviour and language were witnessed by a number of members of the public.
Police suspected Doherty was under the influence of alcohol and drugs and, following his arrest, he was taken to South West Acute Hospital for assessment.
While being removed from a police cell van at the hospital, Doherty spat at an officer and pulled away violently. Limb restraints and a spit guard were applied, and his behaviour was described as so volatile that he had to remain in the vehicle.
After being medically assessed, Doherty was returned to police custody and charged.
A defence barrister acknowledged that Doherty has a lengthy record for similar offending and accepted that he had been heavily intoxicated at the time.
While conceding that the custody threshold had been passed, the defence urged District Judge Alana McSorley to consider suspending any sentence of imprisonment, arguing that this could incentivise Doherty to make better choices and achieve stability in the community.
However, Judge McSorley rejected that submission and sentenced Doherty to seven months’ imprisonment.
In delivering her decision, the judge told Doherty that the location of the incident – just metres from the site of the Omagh bomb – was an aggravating factor in the case.
