A MAN who police found lying on the road before he became aggressive and tried to assault them has been sentenced to prison.

Appearing via videolink from Hydebank Prison at Enniskillen Magistrates Court, Daniel Rodgers (19), with an address of Garden Mews, Cookstown, was convicted of two counts of assault on police and one charge of disorderly behaviour and criminal damage.

On March 17, police were tasked to Galliagh Park in Enniskillen at around 6pm to investigate reports of a party and possible Covid-19 breaches.

When they got to Rossorry Church Road, they came across a group of people, with one male on the ground. The group were intoxicated and giving the officers different accounts of what happened.

The male on the ground was identified as Rodgers.

As he was being handcuffed, the defendant made a "biting movement" towards the hand of the officer. He was arrested for disorderly behaviour and assault on police before then trying to headbutt another officer.

Rodgers told the officers he had taken pregabalin, so he was taken to South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) for treatment.

While in the car to the hospital Rodgers spat out in the police vehicle and was then fitted with a spit hood and was arrested for criminal damage.

At the SWAH, Rodgers' behaviour continued to be aggressive, as he threatened staff, saying: "I'll bite your ear off, you c***."

Rodgers' barrister, Ciaran Roddy, told the court Rodgers had complex addiction issues which were borne out in this incident.

While he admitted the disorderly behaviour was sustained, he submitted that there was no physical contact with police and asked the court to give him credit for his early plea.

Mr. Roddy added that Rodgers was a young man with "protracted difficulties" who was in a place where he could address those issues.

District Judge Steven Keown handed Rodgers a three-month prison sentence.