Man who threw KitKats gets ‘a break’ from Judge

THE District Judge at the Magistrates Court decided to give a man who was throwing KitKats onto the street in Cookstown, “a break” by imposing a conditional discharge.

Patrick Quinn (30) of Ardboe Road, Cookstown admitted resisting police and disorderly behaviour when he appeared before the court. A further charge of attempted criminal damage was withdrawn by the Prosecution Service.

The court was told he had no previous record other than a police caution ten years ago.

On the evening of October 26, police officers observed Quinn to be unsteady on his feet and throwing KitKats from a multi-packet, onto the street. He was also spraying detergent and swore at police officers who told him to desist. On being arrested he pulled back and forward and when the officers tried to apply a seatbelt he kicked out at the door of the police car.

Defence solicitor Michael Fahy said his client accepted his guilt “at an early stage of the court proceedings”.

He added that Quinn also accepted his behaviour was “very unbecoming and unsavoury”.

Mr Fahy stated, “There were a number of issues concerning him at the time and he resorted to alcohol. He says he has not consumed alcohol since. He works on a family farm and is industrious and wants to put this matter behind him. He offers an unequivocal apology to the court and the police. We are unlikely to see him in court again”.

District Judge Sean O’Hare noted that Quinn had only been in ‘trouble’ once before when he received a police caution ten years ago and had “managed to stay out of bother subsequently”.

Addressing the defendant, Judge O’Hare added, “Whatever was bothering you, as somebody who was throwing KitKats around I will give you a break. If you slip up again and any consequences are fuelled by alcohol you will end up back in court and this will be revisited. I don’t want to see you back in court for at least another ten years”.