A BALLYNAHINCH man who punched a policeman who was called to a domestic incident at his home has been told that he behaved unacceptably.
Robert Hanna was handcuffed in the back of a police car when he lashed out twice at the officer, Downpatrick Court heard last Thursday.
Police had been called to Hanna’s Magheratimpany Road home at around 11.20pm on September 11 following a report of a domestic assault.
When police arrived they heard shouting from inside the house. Hanna and his wife had both been drinking and there were empty bottles lying around.
Mrs. Hanna told police her husband had grabbed by her hair, pulled her throat and slapped her face. She said she was fearful.
A prosecution lawyer said Hanna was repeatedly abusive to police and threatened to “pull the head” off them.
He was handcuffed and put into the back of the police car. He deliberately jammed his knee against the door and punched the passenger seat, which caused his knuckles to bleed.
He also struggled against his handcuffs and at one stage police had to
stop the car. He was taken to Bangor police station where he continued to be abusive.
A defence barrister said Hanna (52), who has no previous convictions, wished to apologise to the court and his wife.
Describing the incident as out of character, he said Hanna had been trying to care for his wife and that “tensions within him exploded.”
District Judge Greg McCourt said Hanna was a man who normally had a “strong sense of responsibility.”
He told him: “I have read the medical report and can understand the position you were in. This was a case when drink got the better of you.”
He added, however: “Your behaviour towards the police was unacceptable.”
Hanna was given a conditional discharge for two years and fined £400 on charges of common assault, assault on police and disorderly behaviour.