A Polish driver who set fire to his ex-partner’s front door in Dunstable was jailed for 16 months on Tuesday, August 25, 2020.
Albin Konichal, 37, spat in the face of a woman police officer who came to arrest him and racially abused other officers at Luton police station.
Konichal had downed eight to ten beers when went to his ex’s home in Staines Square in Dunstable, Luton crown court was told.
Prosecutor Daren Samat said Konichal and the woman had a volatile six month relationship that had ended. On the afternoon of June 24, this year he sent her a series of text messages. She refused to meet him and left her home.
At around 6pm he arrived at the address, where he set light to the rubber doormat outside her door. He sent her pictures with the message: “The porch is on fire. Do you hear me, whore?”
Neighbours called the police and the fire brigade. Konichal, who had walked off towards Dunstable Hight Street, was arrested.
Mr Samat said he spat at a woman officer’s face and arm as she put him in the police van.
He was kicking at the van door and was swearing and singing. At one point he put a cable from a light in the van into his mouth.
At the police station he shouted at two Asian officers saying: “I hate all you pigs, get your hands off me P… “ and “Paki c… “
It took 45 minutes for him to calm down, said Mr Samat. When interviewed by officers he said he had finished work at 1pm and started drinking at 2pm.
He said he had eight to ten beers and could not remember anything. He told the police: “We have a f…… up relationship.”
Konichal of Ridgway Road, Luton appeared for sentence via a link from Bedford prison, having pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered, assault on an emergency worker, two offences of causing racially aggravated alarm or distress and causing criminal damage to a light in the police vehicle.
Defending, Shaun Esprit said he had pleaded guilty and was of previous good character. He said his client had been intoxicated and was “deeply sorry for his disgusting behaviour.” Mr Esprit said he wanted to write a letter of apology to the officers. “He feels ashamed and would like to apologise unreservedly,” he said.
Jailing him for a total of 16 months, Judge Steven Evans said: “You were a man who was jealous and controlling. You treated her as your property.
You could not bear breaking up with her. You left her scared and traumatised.” Referring to the assaults on the officers, the judge said: “You spat at a police officer. It was absolutely disgraceful behaviour.
“You visited the Asian officers with disgraceful racial abuse.”
