Man swore and waved a metal pole at police

Paul Gerard Holden (51), of Glasgow terrace, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon, which arose from an incident at Argyle Street in the early hours of January 19.

The court heard that Holden let himself into his ex-wife’s house and began breaking crockery.

The injured party could hear crashing and banging and her children were upset and crying.

Police were tasked to the area and when the officers arrived Holden ran at them with a metal pole.

He was screaming at the officers and said: “What are you going to do you black b-------. F------ come on then.”

The 51-year-old waved to metal pole violently at the police and they had to take out batons.

Holden was arrested and, on examination the metal pole was found to be a five-feet length of metal brush shaft.

Defence solicitor, Seamus Quigley, said his client was embarrassed and ashamed of himself and knows his family don’t deserve this.

Suspending a three month sentence for 18 months, District Judge Barney McElholm said behaviour like this would not be tolerated, adding it would have been distressing for the injured party and her children.