A 29-YEAR-OLD man has received a four-month jail term for assaulting two police officers after he was found asleep in a coal shed outside a property in Lisbellaw last year.

Alec Lester, who is also known as ‘David Mullin’, with an address at Maghaberry prison, pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting a police officer and also using disorderly behaviour at Fortview Park on April 17, 2016.

Lester, who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence in relation to other matters, appeared for sentencing at Fermanagh Magistrates Court, via videolink from Maghaberry.

The court heard that, at 1.40am, police were called to an address in Lisbellaw after receiving a report that a male was acting disorderly.

Checking the area, the officers located a male matching the description they had been given asleep in a coal shed at the rear of the property.

When he was roused by police, the defendant attempted to headbutt one of the officers, but missed.

As he continued to struggle with police, it was noted that the incident appeared to be waking local residents in the surrounding area.

Other officers had to be called to assist in applying leg restraints on the defendant.

As he was being placed in the rear of the police vehicle, Lester kicked an officer in the chest, causing him to stagger back.

However, there was no injury caused as the officer was wearing body armour.

Defending counsel, Ciaran Roddy, told the court that a psychiatric report had been submitted on behalf of his client.

The barrister said that the incident had occurred at an address that Lester had been residing in at the time.

Mr. Roddy said that police had been contacted by a third party who observed a male trying to break a window at the property.

But the barrister said that Lester had left his key with his partner, who was not there when he got back, and found that he had no way in.

Mr. Roddy admitted that his client was “heavily intoxicated” and now regretted how he had reacted when he was woken by the police.

In mitigation, the barrister revealed that Lester was attending AA meetings three times a week.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, acknowledged that the defendant had recently received a “significant” jail sentence of five years at Belfast Crown Court.

In relation to these offences, the judge imposed a four-month prison term.