Teen dad locked up over violent attack

Eimear Cotter

A TEENAGE reveller who repeatedly punched and kicked another young man to the ground, leaving him needing stitches to his forehead, has claimed that he's "a different man" since his child was born a few months ago.

Jakub Rusiecki (19) punched and knocked his victim to the ground, and kicked him twice to the head in the roadside assault.

The victim needed a number of stitches to a wound on his forehead, and he also suffered bruising and a black eye.

A judge fined Rusiecki €750, ordered him to pay €3,000 in compensation to the victim and sentenced him to eight months in detention.

Panic

The defendant, with addresses at Ennis Lane, Swords, and Maple Drive in Castleknock, admitted before Swords District Court to seriously assaulting another young male.

The incident took place at Main Street, Swords, on January 3 last year.

The court heard that Rusiecki punched the victim, knocking him to the ground, and then kicked him twice to the head.

The victim, who was in court, said he had recovered from the attack, and had not suffered any nightmares or panic attacks.

Defence lawyer James O'Brien said Rusiecki has difficulty managing his anger, and the incident arose out of a scuffle amongst a number of young men. Mr O'Brien said the defendant is a new father, after his partner gave birth recently, and this has changed his attitude, and significantly improved his behaviour.

working

The court heard Rusiecki was getting into trouble, but since the birth of his child he has settled down, moved back home to live with his father, and is working again.

Mr O'Brien said the defendant acknowledged there was no excuse for his behaviour on the night.

Judge Patrick Brady said the assault was very serious as the victim received a number of blows to the head.

Judge Brady ordered Rusiecki to pay €3,000 compensation to the victim, as well as pay €60 in victim expenses.

Rusiecki was fined €750 and sentenced to eight months in St Patrick's Institution.

hnews@herald.ie