Laughing teens ejected from court hearing

They were Colum Madden, 19, of Oakvale in Moyraverty and Gerard Magee, 20, of Gilpin's Mews in Lurgan.

Both the teenagers appeared together in Craigavon Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with disorderly behaviour relating to an incident with police on July 15 in Craigavon.

The court was told at around 8.45pm a crowd of around 12 people on a grass verge in the Drumellan estate became abusive towards officers. As the police left their vehicles the crowd sang, "You're not in Ardoyne now".

The defendants were warned about their behaviour and became more abusive.

Mr Magee called a police officer "a f****r" and "a ginger b*****d". Madden called the officer "a ginger f******g b*****d".

District Judge Mervyn Bates halted proceedings to speak to the two defendants who were laughing and smiling.

He asked their solicitor to take them outside and speak to them about how to behave properly in court.

Several more cases were heard before Madden and Magee were brought before court again.

The facts were read out for a second time and their solicitor said: "This is the first time either of the defendants have appeared in court and their behaviour was down to their immaturity."

"This is exactly the sort of behaviour that got them into trouble in the first place," said Judge Bates.

The court was told Madden is on Jobseekers Allowance and has a charge of disorderly behaviour on his record from 2009. Magee has been in employment for three years as an electrician and according to his solicitor none of his family have any experience with the criminal justice system.

"You don't come to court and behave that way," said Judge Bates. "Court has the power to put you in a cell if you behave in that way. I don't care what you think of me, but I do care what you think of this court."

Madden was fined 75 and Magee 120.

Judge Bates added in light of the two boys behaviour towards the police they'd be bound over to keep the peace for 18 months on the sum of 250.