42-year-old man who made threat to kill social worker receives suspended jail term

Francis Crumlish, who now has an address at Carlton Drive, Strabane, but previously lived in Enniskillen, was charged with using disorderly behaviour at Carran Mews, threatening to kill a male and unlawfully assaulting him on March 16 this year.

In relation to a separate incident, Crumlish was further charged with breaching a traffic sign, using a motor vehicle without insurance at Wellington Road, Enniskillen and not having a driving licence on November 18 last year.

Crumlish appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Wednesday of last week for sentencing in respect of all these matters.

The court heard that, at 8.30am on March 16, police were tasked to the defendant’s address at Carran Mews in Enniskillen.

Crumlish reported that his partner had turned up and he wanted her removed as she was “not welcome”.

While officers were speaking to the defendant, he became “verbally abusive”.

He was subsequently warned about his behaviour.

Later the same day, at around 3.50pm, police were again tasked to the defendant’s home after receiving a report that he had threatened to kill a social worker who had called to the house.

Upon arrival, his partner told officers that Crumlish had “left in a rage” after the incident.

The social worker informed them that the defendant had been shouting and waving his hands in his face in an aggressive manner.

Crumlish was later arrested for making threats to kill and common assault after police returned to the house on a further occasion following a report of an argument between him and his partner.

In relation to the driving offences, the court heard that, at 5.15pm on November 18, police on duty in an unmarked car observed the defendant drive through a red light.

After activating their blue lights, the defendant stopped his Volkswagen Touran mid-traffic flow.

Officers then advised him to pull over into a nearby garage forecourt.

He was issued with a fixed penalty notice for breaking the red light and also told to produce his insurance certificate and driving licence at a police station within seven days.

Defending counsel, Ciaran Roddy, acknowledged to the court that his client had displayed “very concerning” behaviour.

However, after district judge Nigel Broderick asked whether he had “anger management” issues, Mr Roddy replied that his behaviour had been “out-of-character” and there was nothing on his record to suggest that this was the norm.

The barrister revealed that Crumlish had presented in a “placid manner” in all his dealings with him.

Referring to the pre-sentence report, Mr Roddy said that the defendant intended to lodge an appeal against his conviction and issues with his back ruled out the option of community service.

Observing that Crumlish seemed to “struggle with people in authority”, the judge questioned whether putting him on probation would be a good idea.

In mitigation, the barrister said that all the offences had occurred against the backdrop of a “tumultuous period” in the defendant’s life.

Mr Roddy added that there had been no injury caused to the social worker.

When the judge observed that the defendant’s victim had already been in a “very difficult situation” before having his life threatened, the barrister replied that there was “no excuse” for Crumlish’s behaviour.

In passing sentence, Mr Broderick told the court that he was “obviously limited” in what he could do, as the defendant had not consented to community service or probation.

The District Judge concluded by imposing a three-month jail term, which he suspended for 12 months, a six-month driving ban, fines totalling £350 and finally a £15 offender levy.