A MAN who was convicted after contest of public order offences and possession of cannabis has avoided a jail sentence, and has been ordered to complete 200 hours of community service.

The contest, heard in December, 2020, saw Gareth Parker (28), of Rosnarick Close, Derrygonnelly, end up representing himself after his barrister came off record.

Parker had been warned about his behaviour during the contest, and at one stage he was surrounded by security personnel as he asked District Judge Steven Keown to send him to jail.

Judge Keown stayed his hand and ordered a pre-sentence report for Parker, and on Monday at Enniskillen Magistrates Court, he appeared for sentencing for disorderly behaviour, assault on police, obstructing police and resisting police on September 6, 2021, as well as possession of cannabis on October 29, 2021.

The court heard that on September 6, police were on an anti-social behaviour patrol of the Coleshill area of Enniskillen when they observed Parker walking at Abbey Drive.

As police approached Parker, identifying themselves and asking him to stop, he instead ran away.

The court heard he was told to stop again, but did not, before being eventually caught at Windmill Road beside the West End Community Centre.

Police identified themselves again, but Parker was aggressive, telling them to “f*** off”, and he and a police officer fell to the ground where he continued to make threatening remarks and use foul language, and bit the officer on the forearm.

On October 29, police attended an address in Derrygonnelly following the report of a strong smell of cannabis. When they arrived they detected a smell of cannabis in the air.

Parker was arrested, and a search of the property was carried out with a trace amount of cannabis found on a tray in the living room.

After apologising on his client’s behalf for his previous behaviour, solicitor Mark Crawford referred to the pre-sentence report, in which he said his client was “candid”, and while it was not positive, it was very honest, to his own detriment at times.

Mr. Crawford said Parker felt police were “picking on him”, even though they were carrying out their duties and the defendant was known to them.

He pointed out that Parker had one previous negative interaction with police, and was not a man who habitually police go to arrest, and he “kicks off”.

Mr. Crawford said Parker had his “problems growing up and that has continued”, but he believes there has been a reduction in offending.

With jail a “realistic possibility” for Parker, Mr. Crawford asked the court to consider community service for the possession of drugs and a deferment on the public order matters.

Judge Keown pointed out all the matters were in breach of a suspended sentence. He said Parker’s behaviour in court before Christmas was “outrageous”, with Parker saying he was sorry.

The judge told Parker he had to regulate his behaviour and emotions, or he will keep going back to jail.

However, having some reluctance to send him back to jail, Judge Keown ordered Parker to complete 200 hours of community service, but warned him that if he came back before the court because he was not completing it, he would be looking at custody.