Enniskillen Courthouse
AN TEENAGER from Enniskillen who kicked, bit and attempted to head-butt a number of police officers has been given a suspended prison sentence, Fermanagh Magistrates Court has heard.
19-year-old Daniel McCordick, who has amounted a ‘significant record’ for his young age, pleaded guilty to the offences when he appeared before the court on Monday.
McCordick, of Coleshill Crecent, admitted biting a police officer on the arm, kicking another officer in the groin and attempted to head-butt another police officer while he was being arrested for a separate offence.
The injured officers had been called to his address in Enniskillen on August 8 after they received a compliant from a previous injured party claiming that McCordick had been speaking to her in an abusive manner at the Asda store at which he had done on a ‘regular basis’.
A prosecutor outlined to the court that police called to his address following the compliant and as they spoke to the accused outside the property he began to roar abuse at his neighbours saying, “you are a f***ing tout” and “no surrender”.
He was taken to one of the police vehicles where he continued to act disorderly and had to be restrained.
He then tried to head-butt one of the officers and assaulted another by biting him on the right arm.
McCordick then kicked a third officer in the groin.
He was taken to Enniskillen police station where he was formally charged with the offences to which he denied and made no reply while he was being interviewed.
The court also heard that the assaulted officers did not suffer any serious injuries.
Defence solicitor Myles McManus referred to a report from the probation service which he is currently following after his conviction for a previous offence.
Mr McManus described it as a very positive report.
He added: “It reflects that the defendant has turned a corner. He has quite a significant record for someone of his age.
“But he is currently rebuilding a relationship with his father and admits that his actions were stupid and his has no animosity with police. The defendant has spent one day less than six weeks in custody with these charges.
He was released on September 19 and has been subject to a probation order. He has engaged positively with this order. I can be justified in saying that he has turned a leaf.”
District Judge Nigel Broderick highlighted a concern saying that the accused wants to move out from his father’s home and move in on his own.
However Mr McManus said the address is close to where his father lives and that he wanted to play an active role in his son’s life.
Judge Broderick added: “I’m pleased to see you are making good progress in an order I proposed earlier. While it is early days yet I don’t want to interfere with the drugs programme.”
McCordick was given a four month suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay compensation to two of the police officers he assaulted which amounted to £500.
Judge Broderick said this was to reflect the injuries sustained by the officers.
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