A MAN has been jailed for a year after a court heard he sexually touched two young women in a pub.
Mariusz Stanislaw Protas, 31, was so drunk he could not remember what had happened at The Big Ship in Flint on February 21, a judge was told.
When he failed to turn up for his trial at Flintshire Magistrates’ Court he was convicted in his absence.
He was sent to Mold Crown Court for sentence after he also admitted theft and assaulting a supermarket security guard.
Judge David Morgan told Protas he could not touch women without their consent, particularly in intimate places. “It shows a complete lack of respect,” he said.
In the other incident the security guard was only doing his job. “He was in a vulnerable position. He has the right to go about his work without being assaulted
by people like you,” the judge told him.
Prosecutor Emmalyne Downing said it was a busy night in the pub with a live band playing.
One young woman was on the dance floor when Protas went up to her from behind and grabbed her breasts. A short time later he went up to another young woman from behind and put his hand between her legs.
The manager was told and Protas was escorted out. One of the victims flagged down the police down and Protas was arrested.
Protas, at the time of Castle Road in Flint but who had been bailed to live at a hostel run by the Missionaries of Charity at Seel Street, Liverpool, said he had shared a bottle of vodka with a friend and then called at the pub where he had a couple of pints. He did not recall touching the women but remembered being ejected and being arrested.
Interviewed with the aid of a Polish interpreter, he said he was dancing and “it may have just happened”.
The assault on the security guard happened at the B and M Bargains store when
Protas stole some wine. He realised he was being watched and tried to leave without paying.
Oliver Pritchard, a security officer at Flint Retail Park, approached Protas who initially co-operated by handing over the bottles. He said he was sorry and added “no police”.
But when the sirens were heard he grabbed Mr Pritchard’s jacket, pulled him forward and kneed him in the groin.
Mr Pritchard ended up on his knees and in the struggle also had a bloody nose.
The victim was off work in pain for a month and later resigned from his job.