MEMBERS of the public called police after seeing drunken Przemyslaw Luszczynski grab his former partner by the hair in Ely city centre, and abuse her in his native Polish language. He kept calling her names in Polish, saying she was a whore and a slapper

MEMBERS of the public called police after seeing drunken Przemyslaw Luszczynski grab his former partner by the hair in Ely city centre, and abuse her in his native Polish language.

"He kept calling her names in Polish, saying she was a whore and a slapper," prosecutor Laura Mardell told Ely magistrates.

"He grabbed her hair, and told her to call the police if she liked. She was scared, and he continued to be abusive.

"Members of the public witnessed the incident and intervened. His victim said she had been scared for her own safety."

Luszczynski, 29, of Broad Street, Ely, admitted assaulting Maria Arbeiter in Ely on December 5.

The couple's three-year relationship had ended in the summer, but they had arranged to meet in the city, added Miss Mardell.

"There was an argument, and the defendant became angry and obstructive. She asked him to leave her alone, and he ignored her. She thinks he was drunk, she could smell alcohol.

"Luszczynski pulled her coat and put his arms round her, and she tried to break away. She was scared and upset, and wanted to be left alone.

"But the defendant said "you are not going anywhere, I will beat you up," and grabbed her hair."

Solicitor Nicholas Barnes said Luszczynski accepts he was drunk at the time of the offence, and his behaviour had been unacceptable.

"But he does not accept he made threats of violence," added Mr Barnes. "The couple are friends again, but are not in a relationship."

Fining Luszczynski �100 with �85 costs and a �15 surcharge, presiding magistrate Sue Griffin told him: "This was a low level assault, but nevertheless you did frighten this woman.