A man arrested following an alleged domestic incident at his home in Enniskillen assaulted two police officers on his way to custody, Enniskillen Magistrates Court heard on Monday.

Przemyslaw Szarmach (36), with an address of Ashdale, Enniskillen appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court where he was convicted of two counts of assault on police and failing to provide a specimen of breath when required to do so in relation to an incident on November 8, 2020.

Domestic incident

At around 3pm on November 8, police were tasked to reports of a domestic incident at Hillview Park.

When the officers arrived they spoke to the reporting person, Szarmach’s wife, who told them her husband was intoxicated and had left driving a Volkswagen Golf. The car was located at an address on the Kilmacormick Road and officers were told the defendant had been at the house but had since left.

The 36 year old was located at the Translink bus station in Enniskillen where he was arrested.

Restrained

While taking Szarmach into custody he kicked one constable in the shoulder and grabbed the arm of another. The car had to be stopped so they could restrain the defendant and he was further arrested for assault on police.

The defendant was interviewed the following day and said he had been drinking and did not remember much about the incident.

Stefan Rafferty, barrister for the defendant, told the court his client “bitterly” regretted how he behaved and it was out of character.

He continued that Szarmach had made concessions about his alcohol use and had since been going to a counsellor and had engaged with social services.

Mr. Rafferty told the court that Szarmach was the sole driver in the family and the inevitable disqualification would put severe hardship on the family.

‘Fallen off the wagon’

The court heard Szaramch wanted to apologise to the officers for his actions and Mr. Rafferty described him as an “industrious” and “capable” man who had “fallen off the wagon” on this occasion. He also added that the detachment from his family since the incident had been “traumatic” for Szarmach and he was keen to out the matter to be.

For both assaults District Judge Keown fined the 36 year old £100 and also ordered him to pay £150 in compensation to both officers while for failure to provide a specimen he was banned from driving for 16 month, fined £200 and certified fro the drink drivers course.