A 36-year-old man from Colban Crescent in Lurgan has been sentenced to six months in prison for assaulting three police officers outside the Crown Bar on Great Victoria Street in Belfast.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard that police responded to reports of a break-in at the bar on March 10. Officers found Reuben Glen in the entrance lobby between an open outer door and a locked inner door.

Arrested on suspicion of burglary, Glen threatened an officer. He then tried to headbutt one policeman. While a female officer applied restraints, Glen kicked her in the chest, causing her to stumble back.

Glen spat at another officer during the struggle. Later at Musgrave Police Station, he smeared excrement on a cell wall.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of assault on police, resisting arrest, and criminal damage. No burglary charges were filed, and he was released unconditionally on that matter.

Defence counsel Michael Boyd told the court Glen was heavily under the influence of drink or drugs at the time.

District Judge Steven Keown noted a pre-sentence report showed Glen minimising his actions and blaming police. The judge described Glen's record and the incident facts as poor before imposing the sentence.