Enniskillen Magistrates Court
AN ENNISKILLEN man who assaulted a police officer when in a local pub after hours has had his sentencing deferred to allow him to have an operation on his knee, but has been told to expect community service.
Mark Coalter (30) from Aughaward Road, Enniskillen, appeared at the local Magistrates Court on Wednesday for sentencing after having previously pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and disorderly behaviour on a licensed premises.
The charges arose from an incident just before Christmas, on December 22, when police called to Milltown Manor in Tempo at approximately 4am.
After some minutes knocking, the proprietor opened the door and said there were some patrons on the premises who would leave.
The officer found the patrons in a storeroom, which initially they couldn’t get into because something appeared to be blocking the door. When they opened the door, several large glass bottles were thrown in their direction.
It was at this point Coalter approached the officers. When they spoke to him he refused to give them his details then squared up to them. Coalter was then restrained by the officers, and tried to bite one in the hands.
The officers had to use CS spray on him, and he was arrested.
Defence solicitor Bernard Corrigan said the incident was out of character for Coalter, who he said had been on a pre-Christmas night out and was highly intoxicated. He said Coalter came from a well-respected and hard working family.
He said Coalter deeply regretted what happened and “the unedifying facts are not lost on him.”
The case had previously been adjourned for a pre-sentence report, and when it returned to the court on Wednesday for sentencing District Judge Nigel Broderick noted the report stated Coalter was due to have an operation on his knee for a football injury in the near future.
Stating he was considering community service, Judge Broderick adjourned the case until March 20 for an updated report and a medical update.
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