Saintfield man jailed for 18 months

Saintfield man jailed for 18 months

10 June 2015

A SAINTFIELD man has been jailed for 18 months after running out of chances with the local court.

Thirty six year-old Andrew Austin McCormick, of Fair Green Terrace, was handed the prison sentence at Downpatrick Court on Monday after admitting assaulting and resisting two police officers, common assault 

and criminal damage to a police car during a violent outburst in a garage forecourt at Ballynahinch Road on February 23.

A prosecutor told the court that the incident was brought to the attention of police by a man who heard McCormick and another man make reference to “fenians” before going into the garage shop and exiting with a bottle of vodka.

The witness said McCormick then launched an attack on another man in the garage forecourt, poking his eyes with his finger and thumb.

Police then arrived at the scene and were forced to restrain McCormick with CS gas after his abusive behaviour continued.

A defence lawyer confirmed McCormick, who has been in custody since February, had substance addiction problems, which he said had been aggravated by the sudden death of his mother.

McCormick, was described by the barrister as “personable” when sober, had been an exemplary prisoner since February due to his abstinence from alcohol added the lawyer.

District Judge Liam McStay said McCormick had been given time to prove himself during a court hearing in November but had thrown away that opportunity through the February incident.

“You recognise you are heading down a path but it does not stop you going down that path,” he said.

“If you behave in this sort of way, you will repeatedly be sent back into custody because you have had every chance.”