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Thug Michael McMahon granted bail to appeal jail term for A&E police attack

A man who bit and kicked police officers in front of staff and patients in a hospital A&E has been sentenced to eight months' jail Expand

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A man who bit and kicked police officers in front of staff and patients in a hospital A&E has been sentenced to eight months' jail

A man who bit and kicked police officers in front of staff and patients in a hospital A&E has been sentenced to eight months' jail

A man who bit and kicked police officers in front of staff and patients in a hospital A&E has been sentenced to eight months' jail

By George Jackson

A man who bit and kicked police officers in front of staff and patients in a hospital A&E has been sentenced to eight months' jail.

District Judge Barney McElholm was told by a Public Prosecution Service solicitor that Michael McMahon, from Fern Park, Londonderry, was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital by the PSNI on August 9, when the incident happened.

The 25-year-old had earlier been removed from the top deck of the Craigavon Bridge by the police following reports of a man acting in a distressed manner.

Londonderry Magistrates' Court heard that as McMahon was being removed from the bridge, he attempted to headbutt one of the officers.

In the A&E department, McMahon swore and shouted at the police.

He was taken to a side room for treatment, but he again became aggressive, biting one officer on the left thumb and kicking the other on the left leg.

Sentencing the defendant, Mr McElholm said: "This young man blames everyone else for his troubles. He binge drinks, he abuses drugs and then he behaves in a totally and utterly outrageous manner in a hospital setting."

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McMahon, who pleaded guilty to two assault charges and one disorderly behaviour charge, was later released on appeal bail of £1,000 together with one surety of £500.

He was ordered to live at an address in Belfast, not to enter within the 30 mph zone around Derry except for legal appointments and banned from taking alcohol and non-prescribed drugs.

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