A TEENAGER who assaulted his girlfriend at Lusty Beg then kicked a police man as he drove a patrol car, causing him to almost lose control, has had his sentencing deferred so he could work on his issues.
Jack Rowden (19) from Castle Street, Comber, Co Down appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday for sentencing on charges of common assault, assault on police, and resisting police.
Police had been called to reports of a domestic incident at Lusty Beg on March 21st this year. Rowden’s partner told officers the couple had been having dinner together in the hotel restaurant and had both had a lot to drink.
The couple returned to their room and Rowden fell asleep on the sofa. The woman took off his shoes and he woke up, asking why she had hit him. She went outside for a cigarette and he came out after her, grabbing her by the neck. When she went back inside, he followed and pushed her up against the wall in the kitchen.
Rowden then grabbed a knife and locked himself in the bathroom. He was calmed down by hotel staff. Police then arrived and Rowden became agitated when they tried to arrest him and had to be restrained.
En route to the police station Rowden struck out in the police car. This resulted in him kicking the officer who was driving, who had to perform an emergency stop to avoid losing control of the car. Rowden later said he kicked the officer in the shoulder, not the head.
Defence barrister Stephen Fitzpatrick said Rowden had “background issues” which were being addressed through probation, and asked for sentencing to be deferred to allow the teenager time to work through these issues.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said probation seemed to be working for Rowden. He agreed to defer sentencing, until October 7th, but warned him if he failed to comply he would face a custodial sentence.
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