A STRABANE man who threatened to bite a police officer's ear off has been jailed for six months.

Patrick Pearse McCrossan (34) of Ballycolman Estate pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including assault on police and disorderly behaviour when he appeared in Strabane court via video link from Maghaberry prison.

The court was told that on April 16, 2006, police were called to a disturbance outside Strabane barracks.

There, they heard McCrossan abusing a civilian member of staff, calling him "a fat queer" and threatening to kick his head in. Police attempted to move him on, however McCrossan turned on them, verbally abusing them before shouting "Up the RA".

He was again warned about his behaviour, at which point he punched an officer in the face. The defendant was arrested for assault and resisting arrest.

Two months later, on June 6, police called to McCrossan's address at Railway Street but received no answer, putting him in breach of his bail.

An anonymous caller informed them that McCrossan was drinking in Georgie B's bar, Strabane. He was arrested outside the pub and on being handcuffed, kicked out at police, striking an officer on the leg.

In the police vehicle, McCrossan tried to headbutt Constable Marley and threatened to bite her ear off. He was further charged with assault on police.

McCrossan's solicitor explained to the court that his client was both diabetic and had sustained serious brain injuries in a car accident some years ago.

These issues affected the defendant's judgement when consuming alcohol, the solicitor suggested.

Sentencing McCrossan, District Judge Mr Liam McNally jailed him for two months for the offences in April '06 and and a further four months for the offences of June.