Homeless man given "last chance" after donkey-kicking police officer

Tuesday 20 September 2016

A 20 year-old homeless man, who kicked out like "a donkey" at a police officer at the weekend, has been granted bail ahead of his sentencing in October, so that he can keep his job.

Elias Campbell Benyoucef had drunk 15 bottles of Stella and taken ecstacy for the first time when he was arrested at Snow Hill on Sunday.

Mr Benyoucef who is originally from Morocco and is currently living in the Shelter, pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court yesterday to fighting, and causing a breach of the peace, possession of cannabis and assaulting a police officer.

Mr Benyoucef had been drinking at the Havanna nightclub but was arrested later on Sunday after a fight broke out at 03:00 at Snow Hill.

He was searched by Police who found a bag of cannabis in his jeans pocket, and was taken to the police station where he started shouting and swearing and then "donkey-style" kicked a Police Sergeant.

Defending, Advocate James Bell said Mr Benyoucef has been working at a local restaurant in town for the last five months on a trial basis, six evenings a week.

He said Mr Benyoucef knows that he's skating on very thin ice and would lose his job if he goes into custody. He urged Magistrate Bridget Shaw to give him a chance and allow him bail with a curfew that would allow him to keep working.

Advocate Bell said Mr Benyoucef is very keen to move out of the Shelter and get a place of his own and that losing his job would be a huge setback for him.

Magistrate Bridget Shaw told Mr Benyoucef: "I've decided to give you a chance to keep your job and keep out of trouble. You can't afford any more stupid behaviour. This really is your last chance."

Mr Benyoucef was granted bail and has been banned from licensed premises apart from his place of work and isn't allowed to buy booze from shops or supermarkets.

He's also been given a curfew and has to make sure he's back at the Shelter by 23:30 on the nights he works and by 22:00 on any night he doesn't.

He's due to re-appear in the Magistrate's Court on 5 October.