Drunken thug head-butted social worker

A DRUNK man who head-butted a social worker after turning up for an appointment the worse for alcohol has been fined £500. Kevin Lawniczak, 35, of Kelburn Street in Paisley, attacked Craig Smith when he was stopped from entering an office because he was in a drunken state.

Shame-faced Lawniczak admitted assault at Paisley Sheriff Court, where Sheriff George Kavanagh warned him members of the public cannot go around “assaulting members of social work staff”.

Staff at the Overlee House complex in Moray Drive, Giffnock, had to lock the doors to keep boozed-up Lawniczak from gaining access when he remonstrated with them on March 26.

He was told to go away and come back at a later time and seemed to take heed, but was back – and causing further alarm – after just five minutes, the court heard.

The court was told Lawniczak had turned up by prior arrangement, through East Renfrewshire Council, to keep an appointment.

But he was refused entry due to his drunken state and was told to leave.

He became aggressive and attempted to force his way into the premises, and when Mr Smith put his hands out to block him from going any further, he head-butted him and police were called.

In court Lawniczak pleaded guilty to head-butting Mr Smith during the heated incident.

Defence agent Phil Rooney said it was fortunate the assault caused minimal injury, being a glancing blow.

Sheriff George Kavanagh warned: “We cannot have people going around assaulting members of social work staff.”

He then fined Lawniczak £500, payable at £10 per fortnight.