Man is jailed after outburst in court

Man is jailed after outburst in court

8 July 2015

A MAN who called a judge a “scumbag” during a disturbance at Downpatrick Courthouse has been sentenced to 30 months for assaulting and harassing his neighbour.

Patrick Joseph Russell (31), who also pleaded guilty to contempt of court for the verbal outburst, received a one-year conditional discharge for this offence.

Russell, of Ardglass Road, Strangford, was told by Judge David McFarland 

on Monday that he would serve half 

the 30 months in custody and half on 

licence.

Prosecuting lawyer Laura Ievers told the Belfast Recorder that the contempt arose during a hearing in May when Russell and his partner Hannah Barton appeared before Judge Piers Grant at Downpatrick Crown Court.

She said that after remanding the couple in custody to await sentence, Russell had shouted “scumbag” among other offensive remarks at the judge after he rose.

A threat was also made to a police officer. As a result the court was cleared and the PSNI was called to the scene.

Russell had admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his neighbour and also harassing the man by mobile phone.

Following a row, Russell had punched the injured party to the head but denied having keys between his fingers at the time as the victim stated. The man was left with cuts, bruising and swelling to his face.

In relation to the contempt of court, defence QC Eugene Grant said Russell had reacted to his partner being remanded in custody and the effect that would have on their two young children.

“My instructions are very clear,” the lawyer said. “He has expressed his sincere remorse and is extremely sorry for his behaviour in court. There are no excuses for that.”

Judge McFarland said there were a number of aggravating features of the case, including Russell’s “appalling criminal record”.

Adding that although judges are “robust” to outbursts in court, he said “contempt of court is a serious matter not only for the courts but also for the victim and the public as a whole”.

As well as handing down the 30 month sentence, Judge McFarland imposed a restraining order on Russell for the next two years against harassing his victim.