A 22-year-old Irvinestown man who ran away from police officers after shouting abuse at them was caught the following day when he contacted the officers asking for his shoes back.

A 22-year-old Irvinestown man who ran away from police officers after shouting abuse at them was caught the following day when he contacted the officers asking for his shoes back.

Christopher Edward Lyons, of Hudson Heights, told the officers he did not remember the incident which occurred two years ago.


A prosecutor told the court that on December 27, 2011 at around 1am, police were on patrol on Mill Street, Irvinestown when without warning the defendant stepped out in front of their patrol car in the middle of the road.

Officers said there was a long line of traffic building up behind them and an officer got out of the car and told him to get off the road.

However, at this point Lyons became abusive and shouted: “Where the f**k where you when we needed you. My friend was assaulted. Yous (sic) are f*****g useless.”

Lyons then moved his head forward as if to headbutt the policeman. There was a large crowd gathering in the area because it was closing time at the pubs.

As the officers tried to get his details he ran off and they were unable to find him, but the officers noticed that the accused’s shoes came off as he was running away.

The following day, when Lyons contacted police asking for his shoes back, he was asked to attend the police station. He was shown the pair of shoes and confirmed owning the footwear.

He was then cautioned for the offence and admitted to it saying: “I am sorry for it. I don’t mind it.”


It then emerged that he had breached a binding over order he was served earlier that year for disorderly behaviour.

Defence solicitor Niall Bogue said his client had a very limited record and had admitted to the offence at the first opportunity and also highlighted the fact that Lyons had made contact with police, albeit for an alternative reason.

District Judge Nigel Broderick fined him £100 for the offence and order him to pay another £100 for breaching the binding over order.