Man threatens to bite off police officer's nose and give him AIDs

Peter Anthony Smith, of Sycamore Drive, Cavanaleck, Enniskillen, admitted assaulting Kevin Williamson and resisting the police officer.

A prosecutor told Fermanagh Court that at approximately 5.45pm on Saturday, August 23, the injured party contacted police to say he had been assaulted while walking home with his girlfriend. He said he had encountered Smith who had shouted across the road at him: “There’s the rapist.” He said Smith had then crossed the road and punched him in the face.

The prosecutor said the injured party ran into a shop, with Smith shouting: “You rapist bastard, I’ll get you again. This is not over yet.” The court heard that the injured party suffered a split lip, black eye and cuts and bruising to his forehead. A member of staff in the shop confirmed that the incident had taken place.

The prosecutor said that at 1.40am the following morning police saw Smith standing outside the Crowe’s Nest pub at High Street in Enniskillen. He was known to be in breach of court bail and was taken to Enniskillen Police Station. He became aggressive, telling the officers he would find out where they lived and to make sure they checked under their vehicles, adding: “Boom, boom.” The court was told that Smith then cleared his throat and appeared to be preparing to aim a spit at an officer but was restrained before he could do so. He threatened an officer: “I’ll bite your nose off. I’ll give you Aids.” The prosecutor said Smith was restrained and placed in a police holding cell. A naked Smith then refused to get dressed and leave the cell to be interviewed. In an notebook interview conducted in the cell he denied assaulting Kevin Williamson the previous day.

A defence barrister described Smith as “clearly a man with many difficulties and drink is one of them”.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said: “These offences are unedifying to say the least.” He told Smith his behaviour towards the police and Mr. Williamson was “totally unacceptable”.