A police officer who attended a property in Enniskillen due to a domestic incident was put in a headlock by a man while another was kicked, a court has heard.

The incident took place on November 13 last at around 8.30pm when police attended Willoughby Place, Enniskillen.

On Monday at Enniskillen Magistrates Court, it was heard that on arrival, the victim told them that Christopher Boyle (24), of Willougbhy Place, had spat on her.

When police tried to arrest Boyle he tried to force the front door closed and pull away from the officers.

It was at this point while he was being brought to the ground he grabbed one officer in a headlock and kicked another, before being arrested and brought to Omagh Police Station.

In an unrelated incident on January 27, 2022, police were called to Boyle's sister's house at 11pm.

On arrival, Boyle was being aggressive and his sister handed police a clear bag with 50 yellow and white pills, telling them Boyle handed it to her when police arrived outside.

The sister also told police that Boyle was no longer allowed at her address, and he was arrested for breach of bail.

Officers observed Boyle's speech to be slurred, his pupils dilated, and he was twitchy, and asked Boyle had he consumed any drugs. He replied that he had smoked a joint.

Following his arrest, he told them he had taken "10 yellows" and was brought to the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH).

It was at this stage his mood changed and he became aggressive and more volatile and appeared confused.

Police warned him about his behaviour at the SWAH. Boyle threatened to put his "size 11 shoe" through the officer's head, and petrol bombs through their windows. He also swung at a female officer.

He was removed to the cell van outside, where he continued to resist, and assaulted an officer by getting them in a headlock and refusing to let go.

While in the cell van, he pulled down his trousers and sat kicking the cell door.

During interview the following day he denied all offences.

Boyle's barrister, Ciaran Roddy, told the court his client had a fairly relevant record, but the domestic offence was a new kind of offence for him against his partner who he understood to be "supportive of him and there for him".

He said the courts abhor domestic violence.

Mr. Roddy said this "degrading form of assault" on his partner, who has been there for Boyle, has been a matter of serious regret.

Speaking about the assault on police and resisting police, Mr. Roddy said Boyle was incapable of engaging with police without resorting to violence, with substance misuse being a factor as well.

Of the incident at the SWAH, Mr. Roddy said it was not the case where Boyle set out to attend the hospital to cause nuisance, and he was going about his business without an intention of going to the hospital, but only that he had consumed pills had he to be taken there by officers.

In sentencing Boyle, Deputy District Judge Trevor Brown described the behaviour as appalling, and said if the defendant had addiction issues, that he needs to sort them out.

Boyle was convicted of four counts of assault on police, common assault, resisting police, disorderly behaviour and possession of Class-C drugs, and was sentenced to five months in prison.