ARTUR SYMANTUS SHOCKS CLOGHER AFTER ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT ON CHILD ON NORTHERN IRELAND BUS

In June 2019, a disturbing incident unfolded on a bus traveling through Northern Ireland, leaving a young girl deeply traumatized. The incident involved Artur Symantus, a 35-year-old man from Cathedral Close, Clogher, who is accused of approaching and indecently assaulting a schoolgirl during the journey.

According to court proceedings, the young girl was on a bus that was en route from Enniskillen to Clogher when the incident occurred. An Ulsterbus inspector, who was alerted to the situation, contacted the police to report that an unsettling event had taken place. This report was corroborated by an independent witness who intervened to assist the girl, providing crucial testimony about the incident.

It is alleged that Symantus boarded the bus in Enniskillen and initially sat elsewhere. However, he later moved to sit beside the young girl. Witnesses claim that he proceeded to touch her leg and made inappropriate remarks. The girl reportedly told the court that Symantus repeatedly asked her if she had a boyfriend and then expressed a desire to be her boyfriend, which caused her significant distress.

One passenger on the bus observed that the girl appeared uncomfortable and challenged Symantus about his behavior. In response, he allegedly dismissed her concerns by saying, “You’re lying, you’re lying.” The passenger then instructed Symantus to leave the girl alone. Following this, the witness informed the bus driver of the incident and chose to sit beside the girl for the remainder of the journey to Clogher, where police officers were waiting to meet the bus.

During police interviews, the young girl was described as “scared, frightened, and crying.” Her account of the events was recorded on police body-worn cameras, capturing her distress. Symantus, who was reportedly intoxicated at the time, was removed from the bus and subsequently arrested.

The police opposed Symantus’s release on bail, citing concerns over public safety. A police officer stated that Symantus is registered on the sex offender register in Poland, where he previously served a prison sentence for sexual offenses. The officer expressed worries that if released, Symantus could pose a risk to other young persons in the area and highlighted concerns about the possibility of flight and difficulties in establishing a fixed address for police to monitor.

Defense counsel argued that Symantus had served a year in prison in Poland for sex offenses and claimed that there was no physical contact with the child, asserting that any alleged contact was innocent and occurred while the bus was in motion. However, District Judge Steven Keown dismissed the bail application, describing the incident as “very worrying.” Symantus was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear again via video link on July 3.