Londonderry: Teenager appears in court after officer punched

A Londonderry teenager has appeared in court charged with punching a female police officer in the face.

Conlon Boyle, 18, from Roskeen Park in Derry is charged with a number of offences including wounding with intent and assault on police.

He is further charged with resisting police, common assault, and criminal damage.

The offences are alleged to have taken place on 29 and 30 April.

Londonderry Magistrates' Court was told he had been arrested following an incident on Saturday.

A police officer told the court officers were called to an address at Carranbane Walk in the city due to a domestic incident.

They found the teenager sitting in the garden, the court heard. Police helped him to his feet and he was said to have lashed out at officers striking one of them in the eye.

It is alleged the teenager then spat into officers' faces. He was also verbally abusive to police and towards his mother and it is alleged he used misogynistic and homophobic language.

When taken into custody he continued to be aggressive and threw water at an officer, the court was told.

He also allegedly urinated in the police cell.

The officer said that the accused had claimed to be a boxer currently in training for a fight.

'Profound remorse'

A defence solicitor said her client had no record and had never been arrested before.

She said when shown what had occurred at interview he was "apologetic" and demonstrated "profound remorse".

The solicitor said that the defendant's boxing career amounted to one championship victory at the age of 13.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said a serious injury had been allegedly caused to one officer.

The judge described the teenager's alleged actions as "disgusting behaviour".

However, as the accused had just turned 18 and had a clear record, custody would not be proportionate, the judge said.

He released the teenager on condition he has no contact with his mother. He will appear again on 25 May.