Man damaged police radio

Gerard Peter Reid (20) of Mounthill Court appeared before North Antrim Magistrates Court in Coleraine on Friday to be sentenced for criminal damage and failing to provide a specimen.

The court was told Reid was spoken at approximately 10.20am on Saturday 10 April this year by police while in a car in the park.

Officers could smell drink on his breath and breathalysed him.

He was subsequently taken to the police station were officers requested he undergo a further test.

The court was told that a struggle had ensued while Reid was being arrested which had led to a police radio being damaged.

A defence solicitor said his client - an apprentice bricklayer - relied on his driving licence to work, describing him as “a hardworking young man”.

District Judge Greg McCourt said Reid’s attitude towards police “had not done him any favours”.

Reid was fined a total of 450, ordered to pay compensation of 10 and disqualified from driving for three months.