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A man who punched an off-duty PSNI officer in a pizzeria sent a pizza to the local police station as an apology.

The incident happened when Barry McGuigan, 32, from Antrim, was in Pizza Time in the town last December.

The officer later sent it back saying it would be inappropriate to accept the gift.

Antrim Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday that McGuigan became aggressive and abusive to staff.

An off-duty detective constable was present in the takeaway and stepped in as a peacemaker when McGuigan attacked him.

The defendant was arrested and when he was in the holding area of a police station he tried to bite a uniformed officer on the left hand.

The court heard that McGuigan was intoxicated and later told police he had no memory after 4pm that day after going drinking after work.

When asked by police on a scale of one to 10 on how drunk he would say he was he said 10.

Defence solicitor Andrew Kinney said McGuigan apologised to the off-duty officer at the scene and had no memory of what happened and believed his drink may have been spiked.

Mr Kinney said McGuigan had written letters of apologies to the two police officers and being concerned that the off-duty officer may not have gotten his pizza on the evening of the incident, he asked that a pizza be delivered to the police station.

The solicitor said the police officer returned the pizza on the basis that it "was not appropriate to receive it".

Mr Kinney handed in a reference from McGuigan's employer and also a letter from the owner of Pizza Time who said the incident was "out of character".

Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter described the references as "glowing" and said although it looked like McGuigan had made attempts to turn things round it was a "serious offence".

McGuigan had previously pleaded guilty to charges of common assault; assault on police and disorderly behaviour.

He was ordered to undertake 180 hours community service.