Intoxicated man who took swing at police officer assisting drunk man in Sherwood Avenue Park, Newark, sentenced at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

A Newark man spent two days in custody after taking a swing at a police officer who was trying to help another man who was asleep on a bench.

Marcin Szklarek, 38, admitted obstructing a police constable on April 12 after officers went to the aid of the intoxicated man who was sleeping on a bench in Sherwood Avenue.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court heard Szklarek, of Winthorpe Road, initially offered to help the police officers speak with the sleeping man as he was also a Polish national.

But the pair began arguing between themselves and Szklarek was told to leave the area as he was only making the situation worse, the court heard.

At this point Szklarek, who had also been drinking, raised his voice, opened his body up widely and was seen clenching his fist.

Szklarek was again advised to leave the scene, but responded by moving his right hand in a swinging motion towards one of the officers.

He was taken to the floor and detained, and later arrested on a warrant.

In mitigation the court was told Szklarek had been out of trouble for two years and had just one previous conviction.

Magistrates told Szklarek they were waving a fine of £266 which would have been imposed for the offence as he had already spent two days in custody.

He was ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a surcharge of £106 within 28 days, and was released from custody immediately.