First time in court expensive

A 48-YEAR-OLD Toowoomba man has made a spectacular entry foray into his first court appearance.

Anthony John Ford had absolutely no criminal history when he decided to intervene into police arresting a mate of his outside Society Night Club about 3.30am December 8.

Told by police to stay out of the way and stop interfering with police doing their job, Ford had pushed two officers, forcing one to stumble backwards, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

When he was eventually arrested himself for obstructing police, Ford had struggled and yelled to the point he had to be sprayed with pepper spray, police prosecutor Senior Constable Julia Wheaton told the court.

He had then spent most of the day in the watch house, she said.

Ford pleaded guilty to obstructing police and to causing a public nuisance.

His lawyer John Cahill told the court his client had never been arrested before and it was his first time in court.

His client had not been out on the town for 15 years and he was “deeply remorseful” for his behaviour, he said.

Spending all day in the watch house was a “dreadful experience” for his client, Mr Cahill said.

The whole incident was very much out of character for him, he said.

Magistrate Kay Ryan said she understood Ford had been drinking and accepted it was out of character for him.

However, polices were allowed to do their duty without being harassed, she said.

Ms Ryan fined Ford $1000 but ordered the convictions not be recorded.