A 44-year-old man who kicked a policewoman between the legs after a Christmas night out has been sentenced to two months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Simon James Bermingham, of Lisgoole Park, Enniskillen, admitted being disorderly and assaulting the officer.

A prosecutor told Fermanagh Court that at 1.40am on Tuesday, December 23, police were called to an incident at Lisgoole Park. They spoke to Bermingham, who was standing outside in the street, shouting and swearing. The police advised him to calm down but he continued to be verbally abusive, shouting at an officer: “F--k off you baldy c--t.” The prosecutor said Bermingham was arrested and taken to Enniskillen Police Station. He was placed in a cell and while being searched, kicked out at a female officer, hitting her between the legs.

Defence solicitor Bernard Corrigan said Bermingham works in Canada and intends to return there. He was home for Christmas and had been in Enniskillen on a night out and consumed a considerable amount of alcohol.

“He has asked me to apologise to the officer involved,” Mr. Corrigan told the court.

He said Bermingham assaulted the policewoman when a number of officers went into the cell to remove an item from him.

District Judge Nigel Broderick told Bermingham he has a “poor” criminal record but is now living and working in Canada.

He said that what aggravated the case was that the assault was on a female officer but thankfully she sustained no injuries.

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