AN ENNISKILLEN man has been given a ten-month prison sentence after he went on a drink-fuelled rampage when he head-butted, punched and spat in the face of a Translink bus driver as well as assaulting five police officers.
Jason Magerr, 23, of Hillview Park in the town, faced a litany of charges including criminal damage, common assault, disorderly behaviour, five counts of assaulting police and resisting police.
Magerr’s offences were described by Deputy District Judge Nigel Broderick as “savage, despicable and appalling”.
It is believed that Magerr was travelling on the Ulsterbus express service from Enniskillen to Belfast earlier this month on July 5.
As the bus made its usual stop-off at Dungannon bus depot it was here that the incident began to unfold when an “heavily” drunk Magerr attacked the “unsuspecting” bus driver head-butting him and punching him in the face causing injury to his jaw and behind his ear.
Police were called to the scene where the injured bus driver identified Magerr as the perpetrator.
As the police officers spoke with the accused he became verbally abusive telling the officers to “f**k off”.
Additional police officers were called to the scene for back-up as the Enniskillen man was arrested and taken to the local station for questioning.
Throughout the journey Magerr started “swinging punches” at the officers and spat at their faces.
He was arrested the following day for criminal damage, common assault, disorderly behaviour and five counts of assault on police officers which the accused said he did not remember.
The accused appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court via video link on Monday to face the charges.
Defence barrister Steffan Rafferty described it as a “unsavoury incident”.
He said: “It goes without saying that this is the most unsavoury incident which does not read very well, particularly the fact that one of the victims was an unsuspecting member of the public who was providing him a service.
“This bus driver has been victim of his assault and it is most unsatisfactory.
“One of the key aggravating factors is his aggressive behaviour with other members of the public.
“His actions were fuelled by alcohol and he clearly has behaviour issues with alcohol.”
Mr Rafferty continued: “It has finally come home to roost that every-time he turns he finds himself in custody. This a direct consequence of his behaviour which is not lost on him at all. He has identified for the first time in his life that alcohol is a problem in his life.
“He does not come from the most idyllic background and has been diagnosed as bi-polar.”
Judge Broderick pointed out that other people can take alcohol and “not behave in this manner”.
He went on to described Magerr’s behaviour as “extremely serious” noting that the attack on the bus driver was “savage and despicable”.
He added: “Your subsequent behaviour with the police was just as appalling.”
Judge Broderick handed down a sentence totalling 10 months imprisonment as well as £500 compensation order to the bus driver and fines amounting to £275.
Ulsterbus drivers have been subjected to a number of public offences.
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