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Jail for ‘alcoholic’ who shouted profanity and tried to fight his father outside pub

Defence said: 'This man is an alcoholic and he does accept he has problems with drink'

A Banbridge man who shouted profanity at police after being found intoxicated whilst on bail has been sentenced to four months in prison.

Court heard the 26-year-old came to police attention after he tried to have a fight with his father outside a Portadown bar.

Christian Barclay, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, appearing via videolink from Maghaberry.

It was heard that on May 23, police were called to reports of disruption outside McConville’s Bar in Portadown.

The defendant was trying to fight with his father who was inside the bar. When police arrived they believed that Barclay was intoxicated.

A preliminary breath test was conducted on the defendant in relation to another matter, this resulted in a fail and Barclay was subsequently arrested.

Whilst he was being escorted the defendant shouted profanity and refused to stop despite being warned.

Defence solicitor Philip Reid stated: “At the time he had been on bail for matters which he has now been sentenced for. This man is an alcoholic and he does accept he has problems with drink.

“He will be in custody until October so I ask that this offence is considered in its totality.”

He continued: “Mr Barclay does have family there to support him and has attempted in the past to get off the drink. He also has employment waiting for him upon his release.”

District Judge Bernie Kelly said: “There is no point in me ordering a pre-sentence report as you are a sentenced prisoner until October, therefore, there is only one penalty that I can impose.”

Barclay was sentenced to four months in prison, which was ordered to run concurrently with his current sentence.

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