AN IRVINESTOWN man has been jailed after “wreaking havoc” at a local police station on St Patrick’s Day.
Michael Leonard (27) of Main Street, Irvinestown appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday via video link from Maghaberry Prison for sentencing on a charge of possession of cannabis, and where he also pleaded guilty to four charges of assaulting police, two counts of assaulting a police designated person, one charge of criminal damage, and another charge of attempted criminal damage.
The charges related to two separate incidents, the first of which occurred on February 20 when police were arresting Leonard and found bag of cannabis in his waist band.
When cautioned Leonard told them it was “dope.”
Details of the case were previously heard at the court, and the case had been adjourned until Monday for a pre-sentence report. The second incident took place on March 17 at Enniskillen Police Station.
Having been arrested for breach of bail earlier that day, Leonard resisted police, striking out at the officers, and had to be restrained.
He was taken to the South West Acute hospital, and when he was returned to the station he once again resisted police, spitting and kicking out, knocking a phone off a counter and a fire alarm off the wall of the station.
Leonard was restrained again, striking one officer in the face and injuring another in the hand in the process.
Defence barrister Myles McManus explained Leonard, who he said had a “significant previous record”, explained the defendant had become agitated as he had explained to police he had a medical issue, a neurological issue that caused him a lot of pain in his arm, and needed strong medication but that this was not accepted by the police’s forensic medical officer. Mr McManus said this caused Leonard to “wreck havoc” in the station. He added Leonard was now getting help for his condition.
Mr McManus added this was “no justification” for what had happened, but pointed out Leonard’s early guilty plea and said he had been in custody since March 18.
Deputy District Judge Mark Hamill said the drugs charge was “the least of his worries” and said Leonard had caused “all hell to break loose” in the police station. Stating he had “a bad record”, Judge Hamill fined Leonard £75 for cannabis possession, and a total of eight months for assaulting police and criminal damage.
Leonard is due before the court again on May 9 on two further separate incidents of assault, and on burglary charges which he denies.
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