Assault man had knife on him ‘by mistake’

A Spalding man found in possession of a lock knife after being arrested for an assault in a kebab shop has told a court he had the weapon on him by mistake.

Ruslanas Kazokaitis, 37, of Wintergold Avenue, admitted assaulting Balen Zada by beating and to possession of the lock knife, when he appeared at Boston Magistrates Court.

Prosecuting, Nick Todd said that at 11.40pm on September 11, Mr Zada went to the Best Kebab takeaway on Winsover Road and ordered food but, as he didn’t have enough money, went to a cash machine to get some.

When he returned with the money to pay for his meal and sat down to wait for his order, said Mr Todd, Kazokaitis, who was a regular customer and had come into the shop, said to the shop staff that he would ‘sort it’ if Mr Zada didn’t pay for his food order.

He then grabbed Mr Zada by his coat and punched him in the stomach, then pulled him into the street where he punched and kicked him, before Mr Zada was able to get away and get behind the counter for protection.

Mr Todd said police were called and Kazokaitis was arrested and, on being searched, the lock knife fell out of his pocket.

Mr Todd said that when he was interviewed, Kazokaitis said he had been drinking but couldn’t remember going for a meal, but did say the knife was used for work purposes.

Mitigating, Philippa Chatterton said the knife was used for work as he had to cut plastic strapping, and he kept the knife on a ring with his work keys, which were separate to his house keys.

She said that this day was a day off and he had drunk several beers and then had grabbed the keys to go and meet a friend after a row with his partner and had grabbed the wrong set.

Ms Chatterton said Kazokaitis had no memory after being dropped off at the takeaway, but was sorry for what he had done and had taken steps to try and apologise to the victim.

The magistrates ordered him to undergo 120 hours of unpaid work for the community and 10 days rehabilitation.

He was also ordered to abstain from alcohol for 90 days and to wear an electronic tag which monitors if he drinks.

He was also ordered to pay £200 in compensation to Mr Zada and £170 in costs and charges.