Weapon charge for mourning husband

A father-of-four who appeared in court just days after his wife's death admitted having a weapon in a public place this summer.
Emergency services on Maple Crescent at the weekendEmergency services on Maple Crescent at the weekend
Emergency services on Maple Crescent at the weekend

Lukasz Zglobicki, 32, was arrested on July 7 when police, who were called to Maple Crescent in Westleigh on an unrelated matter, found he had an extendable baton in the pocket of his jeans.

Ged Frazer, defending, told Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court his client did not realise it was illegal to carry the baton as it would be “perfectly legitimate” to have it in Poland, from where he originates.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said he did not brandish the baton, but was simply carrying it in his pocket.

Zglobicki, of Maple Crescent, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

Mr Frazer agreed with prosecutor James Gore that sentencing guidelines suggested his client should be given a community-based penalty.

But he urged magistrates to consider imposing a financial penalty, as Zglobicki’s wife had died suddenly very recently and he found her at their home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Frazer said: “Because it was a sudden and unexplained death, he was taken to the police station.

“His four children have been taken into care, temporary foster care. Obviously the intention is that they will be returned to him, but of course because of the sudden death these measures were put in place by the police.”

He continued: “Once the body is released to him, he intends to take his wife back to Poland to be buried but then he will return back to England with the children and hopefully will continue to live and work here.”

He argued that Zglobicki would not be able to carry out unpaid work or adhere to a curfew due to the travel plans and childcare needs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Magistrates said while they had sympathy for Zglobicki, they felt a community order was the “best option”.

They handed down a 12-month community order with 40 hours of unpaid work and told him to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman died on Maple Crescent on Saturday. He was released under investigation after a post-mortem examination proved there were no suspicious circumstances.