Man guilty over spitting

A FATHER launched a string of threats against a Cairns travel agent including, “I’ll bite off your nose and spit in your face”, before lashing out in a disgusting assault.

Jon Michael Jensen spat in the mouth of the Shields St store manager, who was a stranger, and has now offered $2000 in compensation which may see him avoid jail.

The 36-year-old had been a customer in Paradise Adventure Travel in February this year when he became angry and threatened Jim Won saying, “I’ll kill your family, do you know who I am? I’m a member of the Rebels bikie gang, I’ll bite off your nose and spit in your face”.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Trevor Woodman said a witness intervened but Jensen turned to Mr Won spiting in his face and it landed in his mouth, opening him up to the risk of a disease.

“It’s a disgusting and vile offence,” Sen-Constable Woodman said. “The manager of the shop was trying to do his job. They’re unknown to each other.”

Jensen pleaded guilty in the Cairns Magistrates Court to one count of common assault, which carries a maximum penalty of three years.

Sen-Constable Woodman said Jensen should be jailed between nine and 12 months to serve one third.

Defence solicitor Natalie Keys, of Wettenhall Silva Osborne Butler Solicitors, argued against this, saying it was open to the court to give her client immediate release.

“He does need to work in order to be able to support his family,” she said, adding he was employed in FIFO work.

Ms Keys described Jensen’s offending as a “perfect storm of great emotional distress” around the anniversary of the death of his son.

Jensen had offered to pay Mr Won $2000 compensation and had written a letter of apology. The courts often view offers of compensation as a sign of remorse.

Jensen spent the night in the watch-house while Magistrate Joe Pinder considered his punishment. The matter was adjourned to today for sentence.