Geraldton teenager who kicked police officer and spat on another sentenced to 12-month order

A Geraldton teenager who spat in a police officer’s eye during a brazen incident earlier this year has been handed a 12-month order.

The 17-year-old boy appeared in Geraldton Children’s Court on Tuesday charged with assaulting a public officer, aggravated assault and possession of cannabis.

Prosecutor Sgt Beau Jones said in the early hours of February 20, four on-duty police officers were called to a house in Spalding.

The teenager was under the influence of alcohol and began acting in an aggressive manner towards the officers.

He kicked his right leg out, striking one of the officers on the right side of his head, causing him to fall back.

The officers attempted to secure him in a pod, when he spat blood and saliva at a second officer, hitting him in the eye and arms.

The boy was arrested and taken to Geraldton Police Station.

Lawyer Karen Ward said the boy was very intoxicated, had little recollection of the incident and was covered in blood when the police tried to detain him.

The court was told he expressed remorse for his actions and understood the police were concerned for his welfare.

“Watching the footage made him realise the trouble he can get into at that level of intoxication,” she said.

The court also heard he had bizarrely asked to be handcuffed on the night and could not explain why when asked by Ms Ward.

She said the boy was now living independently after being homeless, having previously slept in a public toilet block for nine months when he was 16.

Magistrate Angus Hockton said spitting at a police officer was a “pretty atrocious offence”.

“If you had been an adult you’d be looking at a period of detention,” he said.

Despite this, Mr Hockton highlighted how the teenager was making positive steps through employment and securing his own housing.

He was sentenced to a 12-month order and fined $600 for the cannabis.