Derry man jailed for assaulting police

A 35-year-old Derry man with what was described as ‘an extensive record’ was jailed today for a assaulting police.
Terence Edward Doherty of 29 Chamberlain Street in Derry was charged with four assaults on police, one resisting and one count of disorderly behaviour all of which occurred on Thursday last, January 5th.
The court was told Doherty kicked one officer three times, he kicked another officer and spat at a third.
A police officer also told the court that Doherty had shouted obscenities and abuse at police in front of a crowd of around 20 children in the Barr’s Lane area of the city.
Defence solicitor Mr. Dermot Downey told the court that his client had only recently been released from a period of custody and asked the court to try an alternative to custody.
However, District Judge Barney McElholm said that Doherty was a person who ‘steadfastly refused to address his alcohol addiction problems.’
He said if he imposed a suspended sentence then Doherty would be back in front of him in a matter of days or weeks.
The judge said that shouting obscenities at the police in front of a group of children was no example to be showing in this day and age.
He sentenced Doherty to five months in prison.