A 21-year-old man who kicked an officer on the head has been found guilty of a number of public order offences and attacks on police.

Christopher Boyle with an address of Corban Avenue, Enniskillen was found guilty of disorderly behaviour, assault on police and resisting police following an incident on February 2, 2019 and was given a four month prison sentence.

He was found guilty of two counts of criminal damage, assault on police, attempted criminal damage, resisting police, threats to kill, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and disorderly behaviour following another incident on February 14, 2019 and given a further eight month sentence. Both sentences are to run consecutively.

Boyle, who was appearing via video link from Maghaberry Prison, listened as the court heard on February 2 police responded to reports of a fire near Johnston’s Bridge in Enniskillen. There were youths gathered at the bridge with the defendant a part of the group.

When officers arrived Boyle became aggressive towards them and ignored an order to calm down.

Boyle attacked one of the officers, punching them which resulted in the officer using his baton. Boyle continued to attack the officer who shouted a warning before using CS spray.

The 21 year old was arrested and taken to Omagh while the officer was taken to the South West Acute Hospital for his injuries.

On February 14, there was a 999 call from the injured party saying that the defendant was at her front door trying to get in.

The injured party had been at home when a group of people, one she recognised as Boyle, along with members of his family were outside her home.

She had CCTV installed at her house and saw the Boyle kicking her front door. A pane of glass was cracked in a window beside the injured party’s front door.

Police arrived and Boyle began shouting profanities such as “f**k you” and “f**k the PSNI”. The defendant continued with profanities and threats.

As officers were arresting Boyle, the crowd gathered around them which led to them calling for further assistance.

While on the ground being arrested, Boyle struck out with his leg, hitting an officer on the ear, and smashing his ear piece which resulted in him being put in handcuffs and limb restraints.

There were further threats to kill while being taken into custody while there were also attempts to damage the police car he was being transported in. Boyle was further arrested the next day for the attempted criminal damage.

The court heard that the injured party was extremely frightened since the incident and was not able to go back to her home.

The police officer who was hit on the ear was on leave and may have a hole in his eardrum.

When interviewed Boyle remained silent but smirked when shown the injuries of the officer.

Ciaran Roddy, defending barrister, told the court that with his client there was a clear misuse of substances during the offences and that his client was acutely aware of the link between the offending and substance abuse.

Mr. Roddy said that Boyle was aware he required help and wanted it to be available when he was released and that there was clear contrition from his client in the pre sentence report. He asked the court to take all of these factors into account when sentencing.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan described the defendants record as “atrocious” and said the aggravating factor was the serious injuries to the officer before sentencing Boyle to 12 months in prison.