A man assaulted in Derry’s city centre has been convicted of disorderly behaviour.

Appearing at Derry Magistrates Court, Martin Irwin, 21, from Drumachose Park in Limavady, was charged with disorderly behaviour at Shipquay Street on February 3 this year.

The court heard that at 11.45pm, police were called to an ongoing fight in the vicinity of the Richmond Centre.

Police arrived and found Irwin bleeding heavily from a wound on his forehead with his face, hands and arms covered in blood.

Police approached Irwin who refused to give them his details and when they attempted to administer first aid, he became aggressive and told police, 'F*** off, you can't keep me here'.

Irwin was warned about his behaviour but began to punch and kick out, narrowly missing a police officer.

Paddy MacDermott, defence solicitor, said that Irwin had been 'the victim of quite a serious assault' and the wound on his forehead had required treatment at A&E, requiring eight stitches and now bore a scar.

Mr MacDermott said that Irwin 'due to the assault and his drunken condition had wrongly felt that police were picking on him'.

He said Irwin then 'foolishly and wrongly' lashed out but was 'not the aggressor' in the situation.

He added that Irwin, however, faced a 'big problem' as this is his fifth disorderly offence.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that although Irwin had been the one who was assaulted, police could not have known what happened when they approached a man 'covered in blood'.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email gareth@derrynews.net at any time.