Coalisland man urinated in vehicle and spat at officers, court hears

A COALISLAND man who spat at police officers and urinated in a police vehicle has been jailed.

Thomas Joseph Ward (51) of Gortview Park was already serving a suspended sentence when the incident happened on June 22 last year. He admitted assaulting two police officers, resisting police and causing criminal damage to a PSNI vehicle when he appeared before Dungannon Magistrates Court. He was jailed for four months, with a two months suspended sentence he received for fraud last May imposed concurrently.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said Ward’s behaviour had been “grossly offensive during a pandemic”.

The court was told that police went to an address in Coalisland close to midnight and Ward became “very combative”. He was highly intoxicated and headbutted and spat at a police officer. When arrested, he urinated in the back of the police car. During interview, he said he could not remember his actions. No-one was injured during the incident.

Judge Ranaghan said the facts of the case were “very distressing”.

Defence solicitor Peter Canavan said Ward had not taken a drink for two years and on the night of the offence called with a friend who convinced him to consume alcohol.

Mr Canavan added, “He was taking heavy medication for his back which resulted in taking a cocktail and he lost the run of himself. He is extremely apologetic and wishes to pass on an apology to the police.

“It was a threat of a headbutt and he he did not make contact. He also did not make contact with any spittle, which is by way of mitigation and is not an excuse. He is shocked and appalled by his actions.

“This was an aberration but is a very very serious aberration. He has had issues with alcohol in the past and hasn’t drank for six months. He has taken doctor’s advice that he shouldn’t drink while on medication.”

Judge Ranaghan acknowledged that Ward has been dealing with “issues” in his life. He dealt with the headbutt as an “attempt” but still considered it “very serious”.

He added, “Spitting at police and urinating in a car during a pandemic is grossly offensive and warrants immediate custody. I have no option than to send him away.”