Man attacked PSNI officers during row

Man attacked PSNI officers during row

2 November 2016

AN Annsborough man who assaulted four policemen as they arrested him for drugs offences, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Twenty nine year-old John James Foster, of New Meadow Row, appeared at Downpatrick Court this week and admitted assaulting the officers and possession of cocaine, cannabis and diazepam in Newcastle on July 23.

He also admitted using disorderly behaviour and criminal damage of a police vehicle during the same incident.

The court heard that police received a report a 1.15am about Foster banging on windows and causing a disturbance outside a pub at Central Promenade. When police arrived, they saw Foster was punching shop shutters and doors, a prosecution lawyer explained.

They found he was in possession of the drugs and when they tried to arrest him and take him to a police station he began kicking out. 

During the 20-minute ordeal, Foster bit a policeman on the arm, kicked a second officer on the lower half of his body and punctured the inside of a police car’s door.

While en route to the station, Foster also tried to head-butt a third policeman and spat on a fourth officer.

“It was completely outrageous behaviour,” a defence solicitor said, explaining that Foster did not come away unscathed” as he broke several of his own bones that night.

He added that Foster had gone to the pub that night and “fell into the company of some old associates.” 

He said his client’s behaviour was due to his alcohol consumption.

“This is appalling behaviour. The only thing saving you from immediate prison is the fact that you are working and holding down a job,” District Judge Mr Greg McCourt said.

Judge McCourt sentenced Foster to a total of six months in prison, suspended for three years, and fined him £175. He also ordered him to pay £250 in compensation to the PSNI officer he bit, and three further £150 payments to the other policemen.