A FURIOUS prisoner headbutted his cell door – only to end up semi-conscious in hospital and facing a £100 bill for the damage.
And when Paul Janicwiez skipped bail a month later, it was claimed he was because he was still dazed when police told him the dates.
Calderdale magistrates heard that Janicwiez, a 49-year-old father-of-three of Warley View, Halifax, snapped after be
ing arrested following a fight in the town centre.
Andy Wills, prosecuting, said: "In custody there were concerns about his well-being so he was supervised, with an officer watching him through the Perspex cell door.
"Janicwiez woke up walked to the door and headbutted it with such force he caused it to crack.
"He later told police he wanted to knock himself out – and he did and was taken to hospital."
Police estimated he caused £100 damage to the cell door.
Malcolm Nowell, for Janicwiez, said: "He feels very foolish at having to appear in court and that he damaged the door with his head.
"He was arrested after breaking up a fight in town and had done nothing wrong so he was totally frustrated by the situation.
"He may have a past record but recently he has become a model citizen.
"He headbutted the door because he was angry at himself and was extremely dazed when he was taken to hospital.
"When he was bailed by police he was still in a dazed state and overlooked he was to return to the police station."
Janicwiez pleaded guilty to criminal damage on May 4 this year and failing to surrender to custody a month later.
He was told to pay £100 compensation, £60 costs and given a 12-month conditional discharge for failing to surrender to bail.
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