Portadown: Man arrested after he 'spat, kicked and pointed fake gun'

Police
A 31-year-old man has been arrested after another man and four PSNI officers were attacked [BBC]

A man who allegedly spat, kicked and pointed a fake gun at police officers after an assault in Portadown has been arrested.

Police received a report of an attack on Thomas Street in the town shortly before 00:50 BST.

Officers found a man in his 20s with head injuries, which were believed to have been caused by a glass bottle.

The suspect, who was inside a property, then pointed what was believed to be a gun at officers, police said.

About an hour later, the 31-year-old was arrested on a number of offences, including use of a firearm to resist arrest.

The gun was later confirmed to be an imitation, police said.

Assaults 'will not be tolerated'

During the arrest, the police said the man began attacking four police officers by spitting, kicking, urinating and attempting to bite them.

He was then further arrested on four counts of assault on police and remains in custody.

Ch Insp Brendan Green said despite the attacks, all officers were able to remain on duty.

"Assaults on our officers, who are there to keep people safe and serve the community, will not be tolerated," he added.

"While thankfully none of the officers received any serious injuries, this could have been a very different outcome."