Newtowbbey man warned if he doesn’t pay fines for flashing at police he will go to jail

A MAN who twice exposed himself to police during an outdoor drinking incident was “stoned out of his head”, a court has heard.

Robert John Stewart winded an officer before running onto a stretch of beach at Belfast Lough and dropping his shorts twice, prosecutors said.

The 31-year-old, of Glencoole House, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, was fined a total of £600 after admitting indecent behaviour and assault on police.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court was told he intervened as police dealt with a group of youths drinking at Hazelbank Park in Newtownabbey on June 7.

A prosecution lawyer said Stewart ran towards an officer and shoved him in the chest, leaving him winded.

The defendant followed this by going over to public toilets and shouted abuse at police.

“He then ran in the direction of the beach area, turned round to police, pulled down his shorts and exposed his genitals,” the prosecutor said.

Stewart repeated his actions before being arrested.

Following his detention he stated: “I was stoned out of my head.”

A defence lawyer told the judge Stewart “unreservedly apologises” for his behaviour.

“It was a drunken episode. He ended up stripped in Belfast Lough and you heard how he misbehaved himself.”

District Judge Dunlop imposed fines of £300 for each offence.

He warned Stewart: “There will be 28 days in prison if you don’t pay that.”