A man who assaulted an elderly woman after failing to take medication for his psychological problems and consuming alcohol has been given a five month suspended sentence.
Peter Klap (46 ) with an address at 15 Gaelcarraig Park, Newcastle, pleaded guilty at Galway District Court on Monday to assaulting a woman and threatening and abusive behaviour at Cookes Corner, Newcastle Road.
Inspector Brendan Carroll told the court that on May 13, 2011, the defendant had been at Cooke’s Corner acting very aggressively and abusive to passers by and assaulted an “elderly woman” who fell to the ground as a result. The woman managed to get up but complained of a sore back following the incident. The inspector added that when gardai arrived at the scene the defendant still continued to be aggressive and abusive. The court then heard Klap has seven previous convictions, mostly for road traffic offences and none for public order or assault.
Defence solicitor John Martyn told the court that his client, a Slovakian national and a married father of five, had been behaving in that manner due to a psychological illness and that a report handed into court shows he tends to have relapses now and again. Mr Martyn added that Klap had been an inpatient twice in 2009 and twice in 2010 and has a number of psychological problems and that on this occasion he failed to take medication, a situation which was compounded by consumption of alcohol.
“This must have been very frightening for this lady,” said Judge Mary Fahy to which Mr Martyn replied that his client has brought €300 to court as a token of his remorse.
Judge Fahy then noted that the report handed into court requests that the defendant engage with the psychiatric services and take his medication. She then convicted Klap and imposed a five month jail sentence which was suspended for two years on condition that he be of good behaviour, take all prescribed medication, attend all psychological appointments, and abstains from alcohol. For the charge for threatening and abusive behaviour he was convicted and fined €300 with five months to pay.
