Blood covered man called police '˜scum'

The man, who was in the middle of a road, then hurled the insult, ‘police scum’, the town’s Magistrates Court heard on Thursday.

Cory McKergin (22), of Queen Street, Ballymena, was standing in the middle of Queen Street at 10.20pm on January 25 this year, a prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said the defendant had no shirt on, was covered in blood and shouted: “F--k the police scum”.

McKergin swung a punch at a police officer and resisted arrest and when handcuffed fell back onto a stationary vehicle, triggering the alarm, the prosecutor added.

McKergin was in the dock and pleaded guilty to two charges - disorderly behaviour and assault on police.

Defence solicitor John McAtamney said his client, a former factory worker, had too much alcohol taken and believes he was assaulted as he had a “significant head wound”.

The lawyer said when police arrived at the scene his client was still in an agitated state because of the attack on him.

District Judge Peter King fined the defendant £300.