A DISORDERLY man had to be subdued using CS spray after attempting to bite a police officer’s hand in a Tempo pub several nights before Christmas, Fermanagh Magistrates Court has heard.

Mark Coalter (30), of Aughaward Road, Enniskillen, was among a group of festive revellers who had occupied the storeroom of the licensed premises in the early hours of the morning and had refused to leave.

He pleaded guilty to using disorderly behaviour at Milltown Manor, Tempo and assaulting a police officer on December 22, 2017.

The court heard that, at 4am, police carried out a licensed premises check at the Milltown Manor. After knocking at the front door for around five minutes, they were allowed access.

Upon speaking to the licensee inside, officers learned that there were a number of males who were refusing to leave.

They were in the storeroom of the premises, he added.

After forcing entry to the room, several large bottles were thrown at the police and smashed against the wall.

A short time later, the defendant walked out of the room, refused to give his details and then walked to the rear of the bar and stared at the officers.

During attempts to restrain him, Coalter made several attempts to bite the right hand of one of the officers.

CS spray had to be deployed to subdue the defendant, the court heard. He was subsequently arrested.

Defending solicitor, Bernard Corrigan, told the court that his client had been out with friends before Christmas and had been “highly intoxicated” on the night in question.

The solicitor said that Coalter was a self-employed joiner who was from a “hard-working, respectable background” and this incident was out of character.

In mitigation, Mr. Corrigan said that the defendant had shown remorse over his actions and had spent the night in custody following his arrest.

The solicitor also told the court that his client was about to undergo a “fairly substantial” operation on an old football injury.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that a Community Service Order might be a viable alternative in the case, but that the defendant needed to have his operation first.

“One imagines Probation would be able to find light duties to comply with the Order,” the judge said.

Mr. Broderick adjourned the case until Tuesday, March 20, “to see if the operation goes according to plan”.

“If some light duties can be found, I’ll consider community service,” he added.