Lisburn man spat at police officer

A LISBURN man was arrested during an incident at his home and as he was being placed in the rear of a PSNI vehicle he called a police officer a "scummy b*stard" and spat on him.

Mark Gibson (46), of Windermere Pass, appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court in connection with an assault on police on January 9 last year.

A defence lawyer said he believed the spit landed on the officer's uniform.

The court heard the defendant had a "significant criminal record".

Handing down a three months prison term, suspended for two years, District Judge Nigel Broderick said: "Spitting is reprehensible. It is disgusting to spit on anyone especially during a pandemic".

Addressing the defendant the judge said: "You wouldn't want someone spitting on you would you?" and Gibson replied: "No".