The district judge told the defendant he hoped his appearance in court was a one-off
A 32-year-old man who shouted “catch me if you can” at police after committing an assault has been sentenced to 80 hours of community service.
In the case heard at Enniskillen Magistrates Court the prosecutor explained that on August 28, 2013 at 1.30am police were called to an altercation in the Diamond area of Enniskillen outside the Crowes Nest pub. The injured party had tried to stop the defendant Darren Comiskey, of Trasna Park, Enniskillen assaulting another male.
In doing so Comiskey hit the injured party in the face and was subsequently arrested for common assault.
Comiskey then began to resist police and shouted “catch me if you can” as he tried to escape. Comiskey was restrained and further arrested for resisting police. The defendant became abusive and disorderly to those in the area and was further arrested for disorderly behaviour.
District judge Nigel Broderick noted that no injuries were sustained by the injured party as the attempted blows from Comiskey missed their target.
Garry Smyth, defending, explained the incident had taken place on a bank holiday weekend and the defendant had been socialising with family and friends and had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol. He told the court that Comiskey had felt hard done by when he was arrested, but acknowledged this did not excuse his actions.
Mr Smyth added that Comiskey co-operated fully with police at the police station, accepted his culpability and had no previous convictions for either assault or resisting police, noting these were isolated incidents. The defence also submitted a character reference to the court in support of the defendant.
The district judge said he was surprised that a man in employment with two young children was in front of him, but added: “I hope this is a one off.”
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