Man told cops he hoped Santa would come early and leave a bomb under their car
A Magherafelt man who told police that he hoped Santa would ‘come early’ and ‘leave a bomb’ under their car, has been told by a judge that he behaves like a ‘complete idiot’ when he drinks.
Jonathan McKay (20) of Mullaghboy Heights, appeared before Magherafelt Magistrates Court this morning charged with disorderly behaviour.
The court heard that at 2am on December 19, police on foot patrol of Queen Street, Magherafelt, stopped to speak to the door staff of nearby public premises. The defendant was standing a short distance away and when he seen police he shouted to door staff, ‘you don’t have to answer these f**kers’ questions,’ the court heard. The defendant was advised to move on but he refused. He then blew cigarette smoke directly into one officer’s face. The court then heard that as McKay was being led away by police, he shouted ‘w***ers’ and ‘ba****ds’ towards them.
A short time later, police officers patrolling the Diamond area of the town were once again approached by the defendant. He said to them: “Santa will be coming early to you this year lads. I hope Santa will be good to you and leave a bomb under your car.” At this point the defendant was arrested for his behaviour.
Defence barrister, Michael Forde told the court that McKay is due to start university September. He said: “This is a young man that comes from a very good family background. He is due to begin university in Liverpool in September. He has very good prospects in front of him and I would ask you not to interfere with them.”
Speaking directly to McKay during sentencing, District Judge Alan White said: “There are two sides to your character. The first is the one who appears before me today, sober, with prospects of starting university. The other side is when you drink and behave like a complete idiot. It is time that you got yourself in order, just do not drink, “I am very reluctant to send someone into custody when they have good prospects in front of them but if you keep this up, that is where you will be going,” warned Judge White before fining the defendant £265.