Suspended prison sentence for man who assaulted PC

Suspended prison sentence for man who assaulted PC

A NEWCASTLE man who split a policeman’s thumb when he slammed a car door on his hand has been given an eight-month suspended jail sentence.

Barry Hamill (33) also injured the officer’s leg with the door after he was seen using a mobile phone while driving in the town on April 5.

Downpatrick District Court heard last Thursday Hamill was abusive when confronted and threatened to kill the officer.

He abandoned his car in Railway Street and ran off, but returned to the car and managed to drive away. He was later seen using his mobile phone again as he drove along the Dundrum Road.

Hamill admitted charges of assault on police, making a threat to kill, disorderly behaviour, obstructing police and using a mobile phone while driving.

A defence barrister said Hamill had mental issues which stemmed from a serious road accident when he was seven years old.

“My client is easily agitated and highly strung,” the barrister remarked. “He reacts there and then on the spur of the moment. He can’t help himself.

“He apologises to the court and to the officer.”

District Judge Greg McCourt said the only thing keeping Hamill out of jail was that he did not have a record of violence towards police.

He told Hamill: “Police officers are entitled to conduct their investigations. You reacted in a severe manner and you threatened to kill him.”

In addition to the suspended jail sentence, he was fined £160 and banned from driving for four weeks.