http://www.herald.ie/news/courts/thug-who-kicked-pregnant-garda-avoids-jail-term-29122190.html
A DUBLIN man who kicked a pregnant garda in the stomach while she was placing him in a patrol car has been ordered to complete community service to avoid a prison sentence.
Stephen White (31) had denied the assault, claiming the officer's male colleague had smashed his head off the door of the patrol car and "flung" him into the back seat.
However, a judge found him guilty after a two-day trial.
The matter was before Tallaght District Court for sentencing after a judge ordered a report to see if White was suitable for community service.
Judge John Coughlan ordered White to complete 220 hours' community service in lieu of three months in jail.
White, of Tymonville Road in Tallaght, was previously found guilty of threatening and abusive behaviour, obstructing Detective Garda Michael McGrath and assaulting Garda Jennifer Brogan.
Shouting
Garda McGrath said he stopped White crossing the Tallaght bypass around 8.20pm on September 10, 2012, for the purposes of a drugs search, as White had turned away when he saw gardai and appeared to be fidgeting in his pocket.
Garda McGrath claimed White was immediately aggressive, shouting "f*** off, my da's a garda, take me back to the station".
The court heard White further shouted: "f**k off, you'll f***ing regret this, and "you'll feel my wrath". Garda McGrath said White struggled with him and refused to allow him to put on the handcuffs, and a member of the public came over to help put them on.
Search
Garda Brogan said she was placing White in the back of the patrol car when he sat back and kicked out, hitting her in the stomach.
Garda Brogan said she was four months pregnant at the time and was worried about her unborn child.
In his evidence, White said he asked gardai to bring him to the station for a drugs search as it was embarrassing being searched at the side of the road.
He also claimed Garda McGrath "jumped on him" and smashed his head off the door of the patrol car.
When they arrived at the station, White claimed he was
grabbed by the legs, pulled out of the car and dropped on his back on
the ground.
White had also denied he kicked Garda Brogan, saying he would "never kick a girl".
