Man banned from every pub in the country

A Banbridge man has been banned from every pub in Northern Ireland for the next 12 months.
Court imageCourt image
Court image

John Malcolm Barr (30), Bramblewood Grove, Banbridge, appeared last Thursday at the local magistrates’ court.

He pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour at Bridge Street in the town on July 10 this year and assaulting a police officer.

The court heard that at 10.35pm police were called to premises where the defendant was being abusive to staff.

Police saw him leaning against a gaming machine holding a bottle of Buckfast.

Police removed the bottle from him and asked him to leave the premises.

Barr then challenged police to make him leave and launched into a diatribe of expletives.

He was told to calm down but became more aggressive and more abusive.

When police tried to arrest him he pulled away and had to be handcuffed.

In the police vehicle Barr kicked a constable on the arm and tried to head-butt the officer.

At Lurgan custody suite he continued to be aggressive, again tried to attack police and had to be restrained.

A solicitor representing the defendant said Barr would offer his sincere apology to the officer he assaulted.

He added that when sober the defendant was a diligent worker and reasonable young man but it was quite clear he and drink did not mix and it changed his personality.

The solicitor said that clearly the custody threshold had been crossed.

Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes said the defendant’s problem was social drinking and he would try something new.

For disorderly behaviour he imposed a three month jail term with a consecutive two month sentence for the assault.

The five month sentence was suspended for two years and Barr was ordered to pay £200 compensation to the officer he assaulted.

He also banned the defendant from all licensed premises in Northern Ireland for the next 12 months.