Coalisland man had fifteen minute struggle against police in town

Charles Ward, 35, from The Glen in Coalisland, was stopped by police in the centre of his home town on the night of January 18 as he had money warrants outstanding.

He was arrested as he claimed to have no available funds and, on the way to the police vehicle, he became aggressive and resisted police attempts to subdue him.

Ward had to be handcuffed during the ensuing fifteen minute struggle to get him into the car.

When the constables arrived at the station they noted damage to the door handle of the police vehicle.

Under interview he admitted both resisting police and damaging the door handle.

His solicitor told the court that his client had met the charges “head on” and stated that “as is so often alcohol was a factor”.

He told East Tyrone Magistrate’s Court that Mr Ward had been attending his cousin’s funeral that day and had “got frustrated” when approached by the officers.

The solicitor told the court that Ward had struggled with alcohol issues and stated that he had 25 convictions, mostly for motoring offences.

He asked the court to suspend any custodial sentence and said that he had attempted to pay the outstanding fine of £90 that morning.

District Judge John Meehan imposed a fine of £100 before sentencing the defendant to one hundred hours of work in the community.