A MAGUIRESBRIDGE man has been sentenced to nine months in prison after spitting in the face of a shop worker and running away from police on a number of occasions. 

Dylan Quaile (21) of Main Street, Maguiresbridge appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday, via video link from Maghaberry Prison, where he pleaded guilty to four counts of resisting police, one charge of common assault, and on charge of disorderly behaviour.

The charges arose from an initial incident on January 31, at around 8.30pm, police received a complaint from a member of staff at the Spar shop in Maguiresbridge that he had been verbally abused and spat at by Quaile, who had called the shop worker a “faggot.” 

Quaile was later apprehended by police, but struggled with the officers before running off to his home in the village. When police caught up with him there, Quaile once again ran off, this time escaping through a window. 

Police called to Quaile’s address days later, on February 3, and used CS gas on the defendant. However, as they were attempting to handcuff him he once again ran off, jumping over a neighbour’s fence. He was located the next day hiding in a cupboard at his step-father’s house. 

Quaile later told police he had run on the first occasion because he was scared, and on the second occasion he saw an opportunity to escape as the officers did not have the handcuffs ready. 

Defence solicitor Myles McManus said while Quaile, who he said had not meant to spit at the Spar staff member, was in breach of two suspended sentences, they were for unrelated matters regarding the attempted possession of drugs and handling stolen property. He added Quaile had already spent a total of almost six weeks in custody since being arrested, and had entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.

Mr McManus said Quaile had recently been before the Crown Court on similar charges, and asked District Judge Nigel Broderick to consider a similar suspended sentence, stating it would allow Quaile a chance to become a positive member of society and send a clear message that should he reoffend he would face a significant term in prison. 

While Quaile had spent time in a young offenders centre in the past, Mr McManus said his recent stint at Maghaberry had been “a terrifying and horrifying experience for him that has really opened his eyes.” 

Judge Broderick said there was “clearly an incentive” for Quaile to run from the police, as he was in breach of suspended sentence, and added it was unacceptable to resist police or spit in anyone’s face. 

Stating he was satisfied the offences had reached the custody threshold, Judge Broderick sentenced Quaile to three months in custody, and activated one of his suspended sentences of six months, which he is to serve consecutively. Judge Broderick also referred the matter to the Crown Court, where Quaile is also in breach of a suspended sentence, which may now be activated.