Derry Man Sentenced to 18 Months' Probation for Assaulting Police

Adam Hegarty, a 25-year-old court reporter from Inishowen Gardens in Derry, has been sentenced to 18 months' probation for assaulting police and disorderly behavior. The incident occurred on February 19 at a bed and breakfast in Spencer Road in the Waterside area of Derry. Hegarty became abusive to police and struggled with them, pulling one officer's armored vest and spitting in the face of another. The defense stated that Hegarty's behavior was a result of a break-up with his partner and that he wished to apologize for his actions.

Key Takeaways:

• Adam Hegarty, a 25-year-old court reporter, was sentenced to 18 months' probation for assaulting police and disorderly behavior.
• The incident occurred on February 19 at a bed and breakfast in Spencer Road in the Waterside area of Derry.
• Hegarty became abusive to police and struggled with them, pulling one officer's armored vest and spitting in the face of another.
• Defense counsel Stephen Chapman stated that Hegarty's behavior was a result of a break-up with his partner and that he wished to apologize for his actions.
• District Judge Ted Magill attributed the motivation behind Hegarty's behavior to hate and prejudice, citing that making homophobic slurs would typically result in a prison sentence.
• The judge also mentioned that spitting in someone's face during the pandemic would have attracted an immediate custodial sentence.
• Hegarty was charged with assaulting police aggravated by hatred.

Statistics:

• 18 months: the length of Hegarty's probation sentence.
• 1 count: the number of charges of disorderly behavior Hegarty faced.
• 4 counts: the number of charges of assaulting police that Hegarty was convicted of.
• 25: the age of Adam Hegarty at the time of the alleged incident.
• 2: the number of people Hegarty assaulted verbally with homophobic slurs.

Sources:

• Derry Magistrates' Court
• Derry Times
• Irish News