Prison to keep Pole off the drink

A POLISH man with a serious drink problem was sent to prison for six months at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

The court heard how Marcin Olejniczak, of 12 a Horseshoe Close, Virkie, had spat at a bus driver after being thrown off the bus because of his behaviour on 20 August this year.

The 34 year old admitted assault along with a breach of the peace at the court when he appeared for sentence on 19 September, and ended up being locked up for shouting and swearing at police and court officers.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said both offences were caused by his overindulgence in alcohol, which turned him from being “polite and articulate” into “a disgusting individual”.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Olejniczak’s drink problems had become life threatening and left him in hospital. “If he goes on this way he might not be much longer for this planet.”

Allan suggested prison might be the best place for his client, with the hope that he might start tackling his problem drinking on his release.

Sheriff Mhari MacTaggart backdated the sentence to 20 September when he was remanded in custody.