A man from Castledawson has been sentenced for a series of offences committed on two dates last year, including assaulting three people and attempting to headbutt a police officer in Magherafelt.

Dean Booth, of Moyola Gardens, appeared by video link from Maghaberry Prison before District Judge Conor Heaney. He was sentenced for common assault, assault on police, resisting police, criminal damage and disorderly behaviour relating to an incident on January 11 last year. He was also sentenced for criminal damage to an electronic tag and breaching a restraining order on October 12 last year.

On January 11, Booth assaulted three people in Union Road car park, Magherafelt. When a police sergeant responded, Booth attempted to headbutt the officer. PAVA spray was used to restrain him. He was also swearing and screaming in the street and repeatedly kicked the inside of a police cell van while waiting outside Antrim Area Hospital.

On October 12, Booth damaged an electronic tag and breached a restraining order.

District Judge Heaney said the custodial threshold had been passed in both matters. He imposed a two-year restraining order to run until August 2028, along with a £25 offender levy. The court was told Booth has 87 previous convictions.