Man jailed for ‘disgraceful’ attack on police officer

A BELFAST man convicted of biting a police officer and squeezing his testicles has received a fourmonth jail sentence.

Samuel Patterson launched the attack after approaching a PSNI vehicle in the east of the city last month, prosecutors said.

Imposing the sentence at Belfast Magistrates Court, Deputy District Judge Alan White described his actions as “disgraceful”.

Patterson, of Strathearn Park, admitted disorderly behaviour, obstructing police and two counts of assault on police.

The court heard officers in the vicinity of the Newtownards Road and Knock Road on July 1 saw a man involved in a verbal altercation.

When they stopped Patterson approached them aggressively, according to the prosecution.

At one point he ran towards police with his teeth gritted and fists clenched.

“He became increasingly violent, biting a police officer’s arm and then grabbing and squeezing a police officer’s testicles,” a Crown lawyer said.

Patterson was also convicted of a separate disorderly offence at Ardcarn Drive in the city on May 18.

Defence barrister Richard McConkey set out his client’s addiction issues and “significant mental health background”.

However, with Patterson in breach of a previously suspended term, Judge White said: “Taking account of the disgraceful behaviour on both occasions this is a sentence of custody.”

He then released the defendant on bail pending an appeal against the four-month sentence.