A 20-year-old Enniskillen labourer, has been given a 12-month probation order after he was disorderly and resisted police and subsequently came before a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrate's Court.

Resident Magistrate Bonita Boyd heard how at approximately 2.50am on Saturday, 25th February this year, police were called in relation to a criminal damage incident at a house in Beresford Place, Enniskillen.

On arrival, Police officers noted there were 15 people outside the house. The defendant, Darren Logan from Drumbawn was approached and told he was under arrest for another matter. Because he had previously ran off he was handcuffed. He became abusive and said 'Black b*****ds'. He struggled and police warned him to calm down. He threatened to headbutt an officer and had to be brought to the ground for his own safety. He was subsequently arrested for disorderly behaviour and for resisting police. He said 'you f**king black b*****d, you will lose your job for this'.

Defending, Garry Smyth told the Court that the initial incident had taken place in the early hours of the morning at about 3am. Logan had been approached by police and dealt with. Later, at 5am when police returned, emotions were still running high at the house.

The Court was told that the defendant was a 20-year-old single man who was in full-time employment. He had been out with his friends and prior to the incident had enjoyed a good evening. He had been invited to a house party and when he arrived he had been refused entry.

His solicitor said his client's instructions were that he was not a part of the incident for which police were initially called. So, when the officers arrived back at the house, he took issue with police for the way they had dealt with the situation because he had no part in the trouble.

Mr Smyth said it was unlikely that there would be a repetition of Logan's behaviour. He said he had entered an early plea and had co-operated fully with probation. He had adopted a mature attitude regarding his behaviour. He had consumed alcohol on the night in question and while it was not an excuse for his behaviour, he had moderated his drinking habits as a result.

Addressing the defendant, Ms Boyd said Logan's behaviour and use of language was unfortunate. She said he was appearing before the Court on very serious charges, including resisting police and being disorderly. In doing so she said, he had used bad language and threatened to headbutt police, behaviour that was totally unacceptable.

She told him that, in considering the charges initially, a period of custody came straight to her head. However, she would alternatively impose a 12-month probation order.