Northern Ireland

Man (38) who urinated in ambulance given suspended jail term

A 38-year-old man who urinated in an ambulance, taking it out of service at the weekend, has avoided prison.

Imposing a 10-month suspended sentence on Remigijus Jagela, a judge warned that any such behaviour will not be tolerated during the Covid-19 crisis.

Jagela, a Lithuanian national of no fixed abode, admitted a charge of criminal damage.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard the ambulance was called out to provide assistance to him at an address in Newtownabbey on Saturday.

According to the prosecution Jagela had been too intoxicated to walk at the time.

But after being placed in the vehicle he spat on it and urinated over a seat, the court heard.

A Crown lawyer confirmed the ambulance then had to be removed from service for a period to undergo a deep clean.

"This is serious at this time when ambulances are required," she said.

Jagela's solicitor said: "He accepts he was drunk, he's ashamed of his behaviour and extremely sorry."

The court heard Jagela worked as a chef until being laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Suspending the 10-month jail term for a year, District Judge George Conner said: "This sort of behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated, particularly in the current situation."