A 33-year-old Enniskillen father-of-three who grabbed his wife and violently shook her for spreading ‘gossip’ about their relationship has been fined £250. A non-molestation order also remains in place until November 2015.

 

Marcin Panek, of Raceview Court, was convicted of common assault at Enniskillen Magistrates Court. The prosecutor outlined that on June 23, 2015 the injured party, the wife of the defendant attended the police station to report problems with her husband, whom she had separated from recently.

 

She said that on an unknown date in May 2015 the defendant attended her home address and confronted her about gossip going around about their relationship. During the confrontation she told police Panek grabbed her by her clothes around the shoulder area and violently shook her. The injured party told police she feared the defendant would harm her. The incident ended when she threatened to call the police.

 

The injured party suffered no injuries as a result of the assault. Panek was interviewed by police and admitted grabbing his wife, but denied shaking her and said he had no intention of harming her.

 

The court heard that a non-molestation order was in place and the pair had three children together.

 

Defence barrister Heather Philips explained that Panek and his wife had been married for 12 years and moved to the area three years ago. Ms Philips said this was the first incident involving the pair which required police involvement and that the kitchen worker had no incidents pending.

 

District judge Nigel Broderick said the court took any allegations of domestic violence “extremely seriously”. “Whatever argument you had with your wife there was no justification for putting your hands on her and shaking her.”

 

The judge said thankfully there were no injuries suffered by the victim and gave Panek credit for his guilty plea and clear record. Mr Broderick said he hoped this was an isolated incident and imposed his sentence.