Teenager accused of biting Tesco security guard a day after prison release

Ryan Stirling is also accused of attempting to bite and spit on a police officer after being detained on Sunday at a Tesco store in Ballymena, Co Antrim.

The incident happened a day after he had been released from prison, a judge was told.

Stirling, 19, and of no fixed abode, is charged with stealing bottles of wine valued at £25.50.

He faces further counts of disorderly behaviour, common assault and assault on police.

Police opposed his application for bail at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Belfast.

A PSNI constable claimed he committed the offences within 24 hours of getting out of custody.

Stirling allegedly went into Tesco on the Larne Road and put six bottles of rose wine into a rucksack.

“He was challenged by a security guard and assaulted him by biting him on the arm,” the constable contended.

“He also tried to bite and spit on the arresting police officer.”

Stirling’s lawyer told the court some of the charges are contested.

The teenager denies assaulting or biting the security guard, and instead suggested that he had sustained a black eye.

Despite outlining Stirling’s difficult childhood, the lawyer said he could live with a brother in Ballymena.

Refusing bail, however, District Judge Mark Hamill cited the risk of further offences.

Mr Hamill said: “Even in the best of times he would have difficulty getting bail. This is not the best of times.”