An Armagh man who assaulted a bouncer at a local hotel has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

A district judge branded the 25-year-old’s offences as “a short and concentrated time of drink-fuelled violence”.

Anthony Harte, of Ballymacawley Road, pleaded guilty to common assault, resisting police, two counts of assault on police, disorderly behaviour and criminal damage at the city’s Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Court heard that on December 9, at around 12.30am, police received a report of a male assaulting a member of the door staff at the Armagh City Hotel.

Officers spoke to staff who gave a description of the male who they said had made his way towards the Mall.

Police spotted the defendant entering Domino’s Pizza and approached him.

It was noted that Harte appeared intoxicated and he became aggressive as officers neared him.

The defendant assaulted one officer and had to be taken to the ground before limb restraints were applied. He was subsequently arrested.

The member of door staff who was assaulted claimed his blazer had been ripped in two during the initial attack.

When interviewed, Harte made no comment.

Defence counsel stated: “This was an explosion of offending in a short and concentrated length of time.

“This is a man with a limited record. He works full-time as an engineer and is the father of one child.”

He added: “Mr Harte fully accepts that his behaviour was out of order and out of character. I ask that he is given maximum leniency in sentencing.”

District Judge Peter King stated: “You have three previous convictions, but these were all for driving offences.

“This was a short and concentrated time of drink-fuelled violence.”

Harte was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for 12 months.

In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay compensation in the way of £150, within 15 weeks.

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