‘Wading in with opinion’ proves to be expensive

Paedar Murray (20), Ailsbury Park, Lurgan, admitted disorderly behaviour when he appeared last Wednesday at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

He was fined £200 and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

The court heard that on June 29 at 1.50pm police spoke to the driver of a car in the Spar car park in William Street.

Murray, who was a rear seat passenger, opened his door and told the driver not to speak to the police. He was told to keep quiet but continued to shout.

The driver was taken over to a police vehicle and Murray and said: “Don’t f—king speak to her. You don’t have to f—king speak to anyone.”

There were families with young children and members of the public in the area.

Murray was warned again but told police to ‘f—k off’ and he was cautioned.

As police were leaving he raised his arm and raised his middle finger towards them.

A solicitor for Murray said it was an unsavoury incident which, through a degree of petulance, he got himself involved. He added the defendant would apologise to the officers and the court.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, told Murray all he had to do was to sit still and keep his mouth shut and that it was completely inappropriate for him to wade in with his opinion. He added it would have been a lot less expensive to keep quiet.