Enniskillen Court House, RMGFH03
A 51-year-old Enniskillen who spat in the face of a shop worker and assaulted a taxi driver has been sent to prison for three months.
John Richardson, of Lawnakilla Park appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court in relation to three separate incidents dating back to November, 2014. He did not speak, nor acknowledge what was being said in court before being led away to custody.
The prosecutor outlined first that on November 10, 2014 a taxi driver was collecting Richardson from a pub in Arney and while bringing him into town the defendant became abusive, swearing at the driver. He then told him he was going to have a smoke. Despite the driver telling the defendant to stop or he would call the police Richardson refused. When the driver stopped the vehicle Richardson then grabbed the driver with his right arm and hit him with his fist twice, once to his left ear. He then spat at the left hand side of the injured party’s head. When the defendant got out of the car he then threatened to strike the driver again. The court heard that the entire incident lasted between 10 and 15 minutes.
In another incident on July 27, 2015 the defendant was in Gillen’s fruit and vegetable shop and wished to be served at the tills. The injured party, a sales assistant served Richardson and made every effort to assist him, helping to give him the different change he asked for. The court heard that the defendant kept pointing and grunting at the injured party and when she went to close the till he put his hands on her. When she moved to go away he then spat at her face with a bit of spit going into her mouth. He then grabbed two nearby apples and stamped on them before leaving the store.
The final incident took place on August 23, 2015 in the Cornagrade Road, Enniskillen. Police received a report of a member of the public, a male, standing three feet from the pavement on the road, partially blocking a lane. When police asked Richardson to move he refused and began shouting abuse at them and swearing. The defendant refused to comply with police.
Defence barrister Ciaran Roddy accepted these were “disturbing incidents against members of the public” and said his client’s victims were “completely blameless” who were simply trying to help the defendant. Mr Roddy said it was impossible to provide an explanation for the incidents due to the fact the defendant would not speak with him, but noted his historic psychiatric problems and has “severe schizophrenia”.
District judge Nigel Broderick said that Richardson should have engaged with the probation service. Speaking to the defendant the judge said these were “disgusting crimes” and had no hesitation in imposing the custodial sentence. He further issued a fine of £100 and for the destruction of two apples a further fine of £100.
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