A 35-YEAR-OLD man who assaulted two security guards in an Enniskillen supermarket after he was detained for shoplifting has received a suspended sentence and ordered to pay each of his victims £150 compensation.

David Martin Elliott, of Coolcullen Meadow, Enniskillen, headbutted one of the guards and punched the other in the mouth as they were awaiting the arrival of police following the theft incident at the local Asda store on July 1 this year.

Elliott subsequently pleased guilty to two counts of common assault and also stealing five CDs to the value of £49 from the Enniskillen store.

Fermanagh Magistrates Court heard on Monday that, on July 1, police were tasked to the Asda store after receiving a report that a male had been detained for shoplifting.

Security guards informed officers that, at 7.30pm, they were checking the CCTV and saw a male removing security stickers from a number of CDs which he then placed into his jacket.

The male attempted to leave in a taxi, but was prevented from doing so by the guards. All the CDs were recovered, the court heard.

After the defendant was led to a room at the back of the store and informed that the police had been called, he headbutted one of the guards before punching the other in the mouth, causing bleeding.

Defending solicitor, Garry Smyth, told the court that the “unsavoury incident” had developed when his client had been under considerable pressure due to a particular set of circumstances in his life at the time.

The solicitor claimed that Elliott, who had “foolishly engaged in impulsively stealing” the CDs, had assaulted the two security guards after reacting to a comment that had been directed towards him.

In mitigation, Mr Smyth said the defendant had an issue with alcohol and recognised that it did require treatment.

He revealed that Elliott was now receiving counselling on an ongoing basis and submitted himself to regular drug tests, which had come back clear.

Urging the judge to show leniency, the solicitor said that his client had made a full admission in the case and there had been a “significant gap” of nine years since he was last before the court.

Describing the incident as a “one-off”, Mr Smyth said that the court could also take comfort that the defendant had nothing pending against him.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that the defendant had committed “disgraceful assaults” on two security guards who were just doing their job.

“Whatever happened, it was no excuse for the physical assaults you inflicted on them,” the judge said.

Taking into account his remorse and the nine-year gap since his last offence, Mr Broderick imposed a four-month prison sentence, which he then suspended for 18 months.

He also ordered Elliott to pay £150 compensation to each security guard.

“You’ve been given a chance today. Ensure you take it or you’ll be going to prison,” the judge warned the defendant in conclusion.