A 27 year-old man who called a police officer a ‘foreign Polish c**t’ was fined £315, when he appeared before Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

James Cleary of Park View, Magherafelt pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour, resisting police and attempted criminal damage.

The court heard that at 1.40am on December 1 last, police officers observed Cleary kicking a BMW car which was parked at Rainey Street car park in Magherafelt.

When police warned him about his behaviour he became aggressive and continued kicking the car.

Police officers tried to arrest the defendant but he began to struggle.

In the back of the police car, he started to head bang the window and kick the seat in front of him, the court heard.

Police were forced to place cell bands on his wrists and called for a cell van.

When he was placed in the back of the police van, he shouted to one of the officers, “You foreign Polish c**t,” the court was told.

A defence solicitor said: “On the night in question my client was highly intoxicated. Regarding the statement he made to the police officer, he has nothing but respect for foreign nationals. So much so that he has been in a relationship with one for quite some time.  

“He had been out for the night and had far too much to drink. He cannot recall kicking the car but he does remember his arrest.  The cell bands were too tight around his wrists and that is what caused him to become aggressive.

“He has managed to stay out of trouble since this incident. I would consider this a blip rather than a return to his old ways,” added the solicitor.

Addressing Cleary, District Judge White said: “Your record is very significant. However you have proved that you can stay out of trouble. You do not want to go back to prison. It is like too many cases in this court, too much alcohol.”

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