District Judge Nigel Broderick made his remarks as he sentenced Christopher Boyle at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday. 

Boyle (19) of Cornagrade Road in Enniskillen was charged with the theft of 6o temazepam tablets, drug possession and assaulting a police member on January 30th this year. He was also charged with disorderly behaviour on January 26th. 

The court heard that at 4pm on January 26th, police attended an address in Enniskillen where they found Boyle outside where he was agitated and appeared to be under the influence of a substance. 

Boyle become abusive and starting shouting at police. In the second incident four days later, police received a 999 call from Boyle’s mother who said he was being aggressive and she wanted him removed. When police arrived at the scene, Boyle appeared with bloodshot eyes . A search of Boyle found a strip of temazepam tablets with six pills missing. 

When questioned he told officers that these belonged to his sister Sophie who didn’t know that he had them. As he was being brought to a cell in Enniskillen Police Station, Boyle then attempted to punch one of the civilian officers. 

Defence solicitor Conor Heaney said he had attended the police station in the aftermath of Boyle’s arrest and found him to be “extremely remorseful”. 

“He accepts that he has a recognised and long-standing addiction problem and he doesn’t intend to offend again as he is seeking help. He accepts that drugs are having a negative impact on his life,” Mr Heaney added. 

Judge Broderick told Boyle: “Until you get to grips with your addiction, the risk is that you will re-offend. It’s up to you to take up the offer of treatment. Nobody is going to make you do it.” 

Boyle was sentenced to three months imprisonment suspended for 12 months.