A man with more than 150 convictions allegedly kicked and bit police officers after they were called out by his ex-partner to an incident in Lisnaskea.

At around 1pm on July 9, police received a call from a woman stating she had been assaulted by her ex-partner.

She said Richard Aidan Slattery (34), of Trasna Way, Lisnaskea, was outside her house banging on her doors and windows.

The court heard he then got into an altercation with the injured party’s sister’s boyfriend, and when the injured party went out to tell him to stop, he hit her on the face with his fist, causing bleeding, swelling and soreness.

Due to bail conditions, Slattery is not allowed to come into contact with the injured party.

When police went to speak with the sister’s boyfriend, he said there was no assault, and he would not be making a statement.

Arrested

The court heard Slattery was arrested for common assault and became violent, shouting and kicking an officer on the leg. He was taken to the ground and continued shouting, saying he knew where the officers lived.

When put in the police car, he spat in the car and in the direction of the officers, and a spit hood was applied, but Slattery managed to get this off and again spat at the officers.

On route to the station, Slattery continued to be aggressive, and bit an officer through the spit hood.

During the interview with officers, Slattery said he suffered from short-term memory loss and struggled to account for his actions.

This latest incident saw Slattery charged with six counts of assault on police, two counts of criminal damage, and one count each of resisting police, disorderly behaviour and common assault.

Slattery said the last time he saw the injured party was July 8, and there were no injuries.

On July 9, he said he was at his home all day, and the first interaction he had was with the police. He denied having an altercation with another male, or banging on the injured party’s doors and windows, or hitting her.

Slattery also does not recall being disorderly, resisting arresting, spitting or kicking, but said if he did these things, he was sorry for doing so.

Objecting to bail, a police officer said Slattery had 154 convictions, and felt if Slattery was granted bail, there would be a recurrence of offending, as he had breached bail 19 times and committed further offending.

The officer said the defendant and injured party live very close to each other, and there was an extensive domestic history between them, and the close proximity would create a temptation to commit further offending.

Slattery’s barrister, Stephen Fitzpatrick, admitted the bail application he was making was a difficult one from the outset due to the serious concern about Slattery’s record and the nature of the offences.

Distance

He said that an address outside of Fermanagh to keep distance between the parties could assuage the court’s concerns, and his client was willing to abide by any conditions imposed.

However, Deputy District Judge John Rea said there were no conditions he could impose that “provide the necessary reassurance” Slattery would abide by bail, and he refused him bail.

The matter was adjourned until August 8.