Polish police officer verbally abused, court told

Andrew Eppleston (25), of Craigadick Road, admitted charges of assault and disorderly behaviour arising out of an incident in the early hours of March 4 this year.

A PPS lawyer told the court that police were called to reports of two males kicking doors at Coleraine Road in Maghera.

She said on speaking to Eppleston he began shouting abuse at the police and was arrested when he continued to do so.

On being placed in the police vehicle he made an obscene comment towards an officer who is a Polish national and head-butted another on the knee.

None of the officers were injured during the incident, the court heard.

District Judge Des Perry remarked that it was disgusting behaviour and told Eppleston he was “a bit too old to be involved in behaviour like this.”

Admitting the offences Patrick McGuckin said the defendant had too much drink taken and had no recollection of the incident.