A man facing several public order offences ended up representing himself at Enniskillen Magistrates Court after his barrister asked to come off record during the hearing on Monday.

Gareth Parker (28), of Rosnarick Close, Derrygonnelly, was facing disorderly behaviour, assault on police, obstructing police and resisting police charges concerning an incident on September 6, 2021, in Enniskillen.

Shortly after the contest began, Parker who was making comments throughout was warned of his behaviour. District Judge Steven Keown asked Parker's barrister about his wellbeing and if he was under the influence.

His barrister did not believe he was under the influence but had other concerns.

Shortly after Parker was removed from the courtroom while a police officer gave evidence. The defendant said he "couldn't give a f**k" and was "away home".

His barrister went out to speak with Parker who accused him, wrongly, of telling Judge Keown he was under the influence and that there had been a breakdown in the relationship. He then came off record and left the building.

In his evidence, the police officer told the court how he and another officer were on plain clothes patrol of the Coleshill area due to reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.

He said they observed Parker, as they were driving past, take out his phone and point it at their car before heading in the direction of Abbey Drive.

The officers went to Abbey Drive and when they approached Parker, identifying themselves as police, he sprinted away.

The officer said he caught up to Parker close to the Westend Community Centre and told him he was being detained for a search to which Parker replied: "No, f**k off."

Continuing his evidence, the officer said Parker lunged at him and he hit Parker with an open hand to protect himself before taking him to the ground until assistance arrived.

He described Parker as "difficult to deal with" despite trying to reason with him and that he threatened to bite him before lunging at his left arm.

Parker is also claimed to have said "the more IRA blows boys like you up the better" and called him a "dirty, rotten, f**king scumbag".

When cross-examining the officer, Parker said it was an "unprovoked attack" by the officer, with Judge Keown putting this to the officer as well as it being heavy-handed. The officer denied both claims.

A second officer who took the stand was then asked why he did not see the incident to which he admitted that his colleague was faster and fitter than him and he arrived after the struggle.

Parker said he was "minding my own business" and trying to stay away from police and he was getting "abused and harassed".

The defendant denied that he had taken a video of the police and also that he had shown it to another officer.

It was then Parker's turn to take the stand and in his evidence, he said he saw two men running towards him and because he has brain damage, he was a vulnerable person and claimed he did not know they were police.

He claimed a member of the public also called the police on the officers restraining him while in response to the statement about officers being blown up he said: "I wouldn't have said that if I hadn't been treated so bad."

Judge Keown, after hearing all, said it was clear the offence had been committed and Parker assaulted police when they were trying to restrain him, he was disorderly and he had no hesitation in convicting.

Parker had a separate charge of possession of cannabis on October 29, 2021, and when asked about this he "couldn't give a shite, couldn't give a f**k". He was also convicted of this charge.

He also said he would appeal the decision to another judge as Judge Keown was "not worth a dam".

With some security personnel sitting close to him Parker told the judge to "send me to jail" and claimed they were "corrupt b**tards" and he hoped the "'RA" would blow them to bits.

It was at this point where Parker addressed the media present and told them to "have a good wee write at that".

Despite not wanting a pre-sentence report, Judge Keown ordered one to be completed to give Parker a chance to engage with probation to deal with his issues and difficulties with sentencing adjourned until January 24.