Man who fell out with neighbour after drinking together spat in police car following arrest
Defence said: 'He hasn't drunk since the incident as he accepts drink gets him into trouble'
Conor Neeson
A man who spat in a police car after being arrested for an argument with a neighbour has been fined £300.
The 36-year-old's solicitor said the defendant accepted that alcohol got him into trouble.
Artur Szczurek, of High Street, Lurgan pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Craigavon Magistrates' Court on Friday.
Court heard that on August 11, police were called to a domestic disturbance in the Lurgan area involving the defendant.
Szczurek was subsequently arrested and was taken to the police station in the rear of a police vehicle.
Whilst being conveyed the defendant became agitated and tried to spit at an officer but it landed on the car seat.
The defendant continued to spit in the car and it had to be decontaminated.
Defence solicitor Pat Vernon explained: "On the day in question he had been drinking with a next-door neighbour, they got into an argument which resulted in the neighbour calling the police.
"He doesn't remember anything that happened but he accepts the statement of the facts."
He added: "This wasn't a very pleasant thing to do, he did not do any physical damage but that does not condone it.
"He hasn't drunk since the incident as he accepts drink gets him into trouble."
Court heard that Szczurek had two previous convictions.
Mr Vernon said: "This was when he was living in Coleraine, this was a result of racial abuse he received and his overreaction."
Szczurek was ordered to pay a fine of £300, along with the offender's levy of £15, within 12 weeks.
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