A 65 year-old Ballykelly man told police he knew people who would ‘sort’ them after they arrested his former partner, a court has heard.

Patrick Begley made the comments when police attended his Main Street home on May 12 following a report of an ongoing disturbance.

The court heard that police had to force entry into Begley’s home at around 8.25pm on the date in question.

When they gained access to the house, they found Begley and his ex-partner sitting in the property in a ‘highly intoxicated’ state.

When officers attempted to arrest Begley’s partner, he obstructed police by repeatedly pulling at her.

Officers were forced to remove the woman from the property.

While they were dealing with her outside, Begley made his way out of the house on a walking frame and started shouting at them.

The court heard that he said he wanted a female officer to attend the property so she could deal with his ex-partner.

Begley then shouted at police “f**king b*****ds.  I know people and will get you sorted,” the court heard.

The defendant continued to shout abuse before sticking the middle finger up at police.

A solicitor told the court that Begley is ‘not very proud of his actions’ on the date in question.

She said on the date in question he ‘took exception’ to the fact that two male police officers were ‘man handling’ the woman who he has been in an on-off relationship with for many years.

“He felt she should have been dealt with by a female officer,” said the solicitor who described his behaviour as being ‘more a nuisance’.

District Judge Liam McNally bound Begley over for two years.

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