Tip spit ‘disgusting’

Council worker assaulted on job

A MAN who spat on a worker at the Reedy Creek dump because he did not want to pay for his rubbish has walked with a community service order.

The “disgusting” act forced the council worker to change jobs, but the spitter was ordered to serve just 200 hours community service and to pay $3000 in compensation.

The act was one of 68 verbal or physical assaults on dump workers so far this year – a huge leap from just 11 in 2016.

Since the incident the council has installed CCTV cameras and boom gates, improved signage, employed security guards and trained workers in handling conflicts.

Acting mayor Donna Gates said: “I will not comment on the specifics of that case but we have zero tolerance for assaults, in any shape or form, against our hardworking staff. I hope magistrates throw the book at offenders.”

Mitchell Ryan Zahabi, 22, pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to common assault for the incident on February 10.

The court heard Zahabi had gone to the dump about 2.15pm to drop off some rubbish.

Police prosecutor Constable Manon Barwick said when Alana Kelly – who was sitting in a booth – asked him to pay, Zahabi began to scream at her.

“He was told he would have to pay and the defendant replied ‘I am not f---ing paying’,” Const Barwick said.

Zahabi then spat on the window of the booth, with some of the spittle making it through gaps and striking Ms Kelly.

The court heard the incident left Ms Kelly in such distress she was no longer able to work at the weighbridge and had moved into a different section of the Gold Coast City Council.

Defence lawyer Bill Potts said Zahabi, a panelbeater, was willing to pay compensation to Ms Kelly for the trauma she suffered.

“To spit on anybody is to offer a horrible insult on their person,” Mr Potts said.

Magistrate Christopher Callaghan said there was no excuse for spitting on someone, especially those doing their jobs.

“It’s a disgusting offence and (the victim) is powerless to do anything about it,” he said. No conviction was recorded.