A MAN who took his pet sheep called 'Chops' on a lead into a Lidl supermarket and urged people not to buy lamb assaulted a store detective after being asked to leave.
The extraordinary scenes involving Andrew Meneice (33), of Glenbush Drive, Portrush, happened last July, with some of the scenes caught on camera.
The defendant pleaded guilty to resisting a police officer but contested three other charges.
At Coleraine Magistrates Court on yesterday afternoon, he was found guilty of assault and being disorderly and was handed a four-month jail sentence, but freed on £500 bail for appeal.
He was also given a two-year restraining order banning him from taking 'Chops' into any retail business premises.
Speaking afterwards, Meneice said he was an animal-lover and, after getting 'Chops', had given up eating lamb and she "is better behaved than a dog".
Meneice said he shouldn't have taken her to Lidl, but added that he hadn't caused any harm and there was no damage.
Lidl store detective David Bennett told the court Meneice's "eyes were glazed", he appeared intoxicated and became agitated and verbally abusive after being told to leave.
Mr Bennett said when he told him police were being called Meneice's voice became "more raised" and he tried to punch him, before breaking part of a display and striking him in the face with a metal bar.
He denied a defence claim that Meneice only became agitated after being placed in a headlock as he and `Chops' were dragged out.
The store detective said he took action to remove the defendant and the sheep when it attempted to eat food in the supermarket.
Store manager Tomas Fusek said when he told Meneice the only animals allowed in were guide dogs the defendant, who was carrying a tin of Harp lager, had told him to "speak English".
Meneice said he had been drinking whilst on medication and it was a "spur of the moment" decision.
He alleged that the sheep, a "defenceless animal", was "punched" during the incident which made him "upset".
District Judge Liam McNally told him: "You had no right to be in there with the the sheep.
"...Staff made reasonable efforts to get you to leave."
